In a surprising shift in the smartwatch industry, Huawei has officially surpassed Apple in global smartwatch sales, according to a report by Counterpoint Research, cited by GizmoChina.
A Break in the Decline of the Global Market
Worldwide smartwatch shipments grew by 8% year-on-year in Q2 2025, ending a five-quarter decline. Huawei played a decisive role in this rebound: its shipments jumped by an impressive 52%, outperforming Apple for the first time.
BUY NOW!The Secret Behind Huawei’s Success
Analysts highlight that Huawei’s popularity is driven by its watches priced between $100 and $400. These models are significantly more affordable than even the most basic Apple Watch, while still offering a level of functionality that fully satisfies the majority of consumers. For many buyers, there is simply no reason to pay extra for Apple’s premium pricing.
Apple Faces a Decline but Holds the Premium Segment
Apple’s shipments, in contrast, fell by 3% in Q2 2025, marking the company’s seventh consecutive quarter of decline. Still, Apple continues to dominate the premium segment, thanks to its advanced health monitoring features and the strong loyalty of iOS users.
Competitors on the Rise
Other brands also showed mixed results:
- Xiaomi saw shipments increase by 38%, powered by its budget-friendly models.
- Samsung, similar to Apple, reported a 3% decline.
Experts predict that by the end of 2025, the global smartwatch market will grow by around 3%, largely fueled by demand from China.
What’s Next for Apple?
This fall, Apple is expected to introduce a major update to its Apple Watch lineup:
- The base model will include a long-awaited blood pressure monitoring feature.
- The Apple Watch Ultra will make a comeback after a two-year summer hiatus.
- The new Watch SE 3 will be launched at an even lower price point, making it the most affordable entry into Apple’s smartwatch ecosystem.
Android Compatibility Expands
Adding to the intrigue, the market recently saw the launch of the first Android smartphone capable of fully working with Apple Watch and AirPods. However, there’s still a catch: to use the smartwatch and wireless earbuds, users must initially configure them through an iPhone.
