The global smartwatch market recorded its first decline in more than a year in the second quarter of 2026, with shipments falling 4% year-on-year, according to data from Counterpoint Research.
Despite the contraction, Huawei consolidated its global leadership and Apple posted the fastest growth among the five biggest brands.
Huawei ended the quarter with a record market share of 22%, up from 20.8% the previous year, following 1% growth in shipments.
Around 80% of the brand’s volume comes from China, driven by demand for the Watch GT 7 Pro, local subsidy programmes, and growing interest in preventive health monitoring.
China led all markets with a record 38% share of global shipments and 7% year-on-year growth.
Apple came in second with a 20.1% share, up from 17% the previous year, and was the fastest-growing brand among the top five with a 14% increase in shipments.
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 accounted for more than 80% of Apple’s global shipments in the quarter.
The remaining results were mixed. Imoo held third place with a 7.8% share. Xiaomi was the biggest loser, with a 38% drop in sales and its share contracting from 9.5% to 6.1% — a direct reflection of the slowdown in the entry-level segment.
Garmin rounded out the top 5 with a 5.6% share and 11% growth, driven by demand for premium outdoor navigation equipment.
Counterpoint forecasts near-zero growth for the full year 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 3% through to 2030 as features such as non-invasive glucose monitoring and automatic blood pressure measurement give consumers concrete reasons to upgrade.
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