Huawei to overtake Apple in wearables

Although Huawei is still affected by far-reaching sanctions from the US government, it has now found ways to continue successfully selling various electronic devices. Now they have even placed themselves at the top of the global market for wearable devices – at least when it comes to unit numbers.

Huawei now in first place ahead of Apple, Xiaomi & Samsung

Huawei has taken over Apple’s top spot in the global wearable electronics market, the market research firm reports IDG. In its Worldwide Wearables Quarterly Tracker, IDC says that by dramatically increasing the number of devices sold, Huawei is now in first place ahead of Apple, Xiaomi and Samsung. In total, around 139 million “wearables” were sold worldwide in the first three quarters of 2024, meaning the number of units fell by one percent compared to the same period last year.

The reason for the slight decline is increasing saturation of the markets in the USA and India, while sales figures rose sharply, especially in China, and are said to have risen by a full 20 percent.

IDG reports strong growth in fitness trackers

IDC includes both smartwatches and other wrist-worn devices such as fitness trackers in its statistics. The number of smartwatches sold worldwide in the first three quarters of 2024 was a good 112 million, according to market observers. This is a decrease of 3.8 million units year-on-year.

In China alone, the number of smartwatches sold rose by a full 23.3 percent to 32.9 million units in the same period. For other wrist-worn wearables, growth in China was also strong at 12.6 percent. According to IDC, around 26.8 million such products were sold worldwide, an increase of 12.7 percent.

Huawei’s success is due to both strong demand growth in China and a strong increase in sales of cheaper wrist wearables. In total, Huawei sold 23.6 million wearable products worldwide in the first three quarters of 2024. Compared to the previous year, this increased by more than 44 percent. Apple, on the other hand, had to accept a decline in unit numbers from 25.8 to 22.5 million units, or 12.8 percent.

Xiaomi and Samsung also recorded strong growth and increased their delivery figures by 26.5 and 24.3 percent respectively to 22.5 and 20.5 million units, respectively, according to IDC. However, Apple probably earns significantly more overall, as the US company only sells smartwatches and not simpler fitness trackers or fitness bracelets.