Global Smartwatch Shipments Fall 4% in Q2 2026; Huawei Reaches its Record Share
- Global smartwatch shipments declined 4% YoY, driven by an extended replacement cycle and the continued decline of the basic smartwatch segment.
- Huawei’s global shipment share hit a record 22% in Q2 2026, with China accounting for almost 80% of its volume.
- China held its lead in global smartwatch shipments in Q2 2026, reaching a record 38% share.
- Full-year 2026 shipments are forecast to grow just 1%, with the market on a 3% CAGR through 2030.
Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo – September 7, 2026
Global smartwatch shipments declined by 4% YoY in Q2 2026, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Smartwatch Shipments Tracker, Q2 2026. This marked the first market decline in a year. The decline was primarily driven by continued weakness in the basic smartwatch segment, as consumers delayed upgrades of low-cost devices due to limited monitoring capabilities. At the same time, users of premium smartwatches postponed purchases in anticipation of upcoming product launches, leading to longer replacement cycles.
Commenting on brand performance, Principal Analyst Anshika Jain said, “Huawei led the market shipments in Q2 2026, while Apple recorded the fastest YoY growth among the top five brands. Apple recorded growth across all regions, driven by the continued adoption of its refreshed late-2025 lineup. The Apple Watch Series 11 and Watch SE 3 together accounted for over 80% of Apple’s global shipments in Q2 2026. China was the primary driver of Huawei’s growth, accounting for approximately 80% of its global shipments.”
Global Smartwatch Shipments Market Share, Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025
Regionally, China sustained its leadership in global smartwatch shipments, reaching its highest-ever shipment share of 38% in Q2 2026. China witnessed 7% YoY shipment growth, just behind North America. This was driven by strong consumer preference for local brands, namely Huawei and Imoo. However, Apple recorded the fastest growth among the top five brands in the region, signaling its recovery following the decline seen in the same quarter of 2025. In addition, China’s consumer electronics subsidy program helped boost smartwatch sales in the market.
Commenting on the global smartwatch market outlook, Research Director Mohit Agrawal said, “Premium users are holding on to their watches longer and the basic segment continues to shrink, so we expect shipments to grow only around 1% in 2026. However, Edge AI in smartwatches, blood pressure tracking and the race towards non-invasive blood glucose monitoring give consumers a reason to upgrade. That is what underpins our 3% CAGR through 2030.”
About Counterpoint Research
Counterpoint Research is a global market research firm specializing in products across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients – from smartphone OEMs to chipmakers and channel players to Big Tech – through our offices located in the world's major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers. Our analyst team, led by seasoned experts, engages with stakeholders across the enterprise – from the C-suite to professionals in strategy, analyst relations (AR), market intelligence (MI), business intelligence (BI), product and marketing – to deliver services spanning market data, industry thought leadership and consulting. Our core areas of coverage include AI, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks and Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables. Visit our Insights page to explore our publicly available market data, insights and thought leadership, and to understand our focus, meet our analysts and start a conversation.
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Author
Anshika Jain
Anshika is a Principal Analyst at Counterpoint Research with over 13 years of experience in market research and business intelligence. She currently leads the Global Consumer IoT domain, focusing on wearables, hearables, smart home, and emerging technologies. Previously, she managed various research and consulting projects across sectors such as BFSI and Telecom. Additionally, she has significant client-handling experience with major multinational companies. Anshika holds an MBA in Finance from IMT Ghaziabad and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hansraj College, Delhi University.
Mohit Agrawal
Mohit is responsible for tracking Digital Transformation and Internet of Things (IoT) at Counterpoint Research. He has over two decades of rich industry experience having worked with large tech companies like Accenture, Airtel, Nokia, and Microsoft in the past. Before joining Counterpoint, Mohit was the co-founder & CEO of a start-up in the competitive and market intelligence space utilizing big data and AI. He is a keen follower of the developments in devices and key internet technologies like IoT, Blockchain, AI, etc. Mohit is an engineer, MBA and a certified project management professional. He is based out of The Hague in Netherlands.