Top 5 Global Smartwatch Vendors Q1-2026, Apple Number One
In the first quarter of 2026, the global smartwatch market showed encouraging growth. A recent report from market research firm Counterpoint Research revealed that overall smartwatch shipments increased by 4 percent compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by rising demand for premium smartwatches equipped with more advanced health features, as well as the recovery of the Chinese market thanks to government subsidies for electronic devices.
Apple's Dominance in the Smartwatch Market
Amid positive growth in the smartwatch market, Apple remains the king in this segment. According to data released by Counterpoint, Apple controlled 23 percent of the total global smartwatch market share from January to March 2026. This figure confirms Apple's position as the world's largest smartwatch vendor.
Moreover, Apple Watch shipments also experienced significant growth, reaching 21 percent year-on-year. This makes it the fastest growth among the top ten smartwatch brands worldwide. Although more than half of Apple Watch shipments come from North America, the fastest growth was seen in the Chinese and European markets.
Factors Attracting New Users
One factor contributing to Apple's success in the smartwatch market is the introduction of the latest health features and the launch of a more affordable model, the Apple Watch SE 3. These innovations successfully attracted new users and expanded Apple's customer base in the smartwatch segment.
Main Competitors: Huawei and Xiaomi
In second place, Huawei secured 17 percent of the global smartwatch market share in the first quarter of 2026. The Chinese brand also showed solid performance, with shipment growth of 12 percent compared to the previous year. In its domestic market, Huawei holds a much larger dominance, controlling about 40 percent of the smartwatch market in China.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi ranked third with a global market share of 10 percent, experiencing 9 percent year-on-year growth. Although behind Apple and Huawei, Xiaomi remains one of the key players in the smartwatch market.
Fourth and Fifth Positions: Imoo and Samsung
The fourth position is held by Imoo, a smartwatch brand popular among children in China. Imoo secured 7 percent of the global market share and recorded 2 percent growth from the previous year. Imoo's success in attracting the children's market makes it one of the more popular brands in this segment.
In fifth place, Samsung, the South Korean vendor, recorded a 5 percent market share. However, Samsung Watch's performance declined sharply, with a 28 percent year-on-year decrease. Counterpoint did not provide predictions regarding the cause of this decline, but it highlights the challenges Samsung currently faces in the smartwatch market.
Conclusion
Overall, the first quarter of 2026 shows that the global smartwatch market continues to grow with the presence of major players like Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi. With ongoing innovation and high demand for smartwatches with health features, the future of this market looks bright. Apple, with its strong dominance, appears poised to continue leading, while competition from other brands such as Huawei and Xiaomi is becoming increasingly intense.
