In the first three months of 2025, Xiaomi climbed back to the top of the global wearable market, moving ahead of Apple by focusing on affordable bands that deliver useful features, that is according to Canalys data. The overall market also showed signs of strength, with total shipments rising to 46.6 million units—a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
That growth didn’t come from flashy smartwatches, but mostly from basic bands. These simpler devices are getting popular again, especially in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, where price plays a bigger role in buying decisions. Xiaomi took advantage of that shift.
The company shipped 8.7 million wearables in the quarter, marking a 44 percent jump from last year. Its success wasn’t tied to one model alone, but the new Redmi Band stood out. More importantly, Xiaomi’s software now links its phones, watches, and home devices into a single system, giving users a better experience without raising prices.
Apple, by contrast, had a quieter quarter. It shipped 7.6 million Apple Watches, growing just 5 percent. The product still sells well in higher-income markets, but recent models haven’t changed much, and some buyers may be holding off for something more exciting. A bigger update is expected later this year, possibly to mark the tenth anniversary of the device.
Huawei stayed close behind with 7.1 million units, thanks to steady demand for its GT and Fit watches and broader use of its health app outside China. Samsung made the biggest leap among top brands, growing 74 percent year-over-year to 4.9 million shipments. It found success by splitting its strategy—offering basic models in price-sensitive markets while also selling more advanced watches elsewhere.
Garmin, though smaller in volume, held onto its niche. It shipped 1.8 million devices, up 10 percent from last year, continuing to attract fitness-focused users who prefer specialized tools.
For now, Xiaomi’s push into affordable, connected wearables has paid off. It understood where the market was headed and moved early, building a product line that meets real needs without inflating the price tag.
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That growth didn’t come from flashy smartwatches, but mostly from basic bands. These simpler devices are getting popular again, especially in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, where price plays a bigger role in buying decisions. Xiaomi took advantage of that shift.
The company shipped 8.7 million wearables in the quarter, marking a 44 percent jump from last year. Its success wasn’t tied to one model alone, but the new Redmi Band stood out. More importantly, Xiaomi’s software now links its phones, watches, and home devices into a single system, giving users a better experience without raising prices.
Apple, by contrast, had a quieter quarter. It shipped 7.6 million Apple Watches, growing just 5 percent. The product still sells well in higher-income markets, but recent models haven’t changed much, and some buyers may be holding off for something more exciting. A bigger update is expected later this year, possibly to mark the tenth anniversary of the device.
Huawei stayed close behind with 7.1 million units, thanks to steady demand for its GT and Fit watches and broader use of its health app outside China. Samsung made the biggest leap among top brands, growing 74 percent year-over-year to 4.9 million shipments. It found success by splitting its strategy—offering basic models in price-sensitive markets while also selling more advanced watches elsewhere.
Garmin, though smaller in volume, held onto its niche. It shipped 1.8 million devices, up 10 percent from last year, continuing to attract fitness-focused users who prefer specialized tools.
For now, Xiaomi’s push into affordable, connected wearables has paid off. It understood where the market was headed and moved early, building a product line that meets real needs without inflating the price tag.
Read next:
• Nearly Half Of Americans, Particularly Millennials, Worry About Online Privacy But Continue Using Data-hungry Apps
• AI Shows Surprising Skill in Handling Emotionally Charged Situations, Study Finds
