Huawei dethrones Apple in global smartwatch shipments for the first time

The global smartwatch market saw two major shifts in Q2 2025, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Smartwatch Shipments Tracker.

For the first time, Huawei overtook Apple in smartwatch shipments, posting a whopping 52% YoY increase. Counterpoint Research credits the Chinese company’s success to its “diverse product portfolio, robust domestic momentum, and competitive pricing across mid-to-premium tiers”.

In the same period, China also surpassed North America for the first time to be the world’s largest market for advanced smartwatches, driven by strong sales of domestic brands. This surge also played a key role in 8% YoY growth of global smartwatch shipments, marking a rebound after five consecutive quarters of decline.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint Research projects the global smartwatch market to grow 7% for the full year. The big question is whether Apple can reclaim the top spot with the expected launch of new Apple Watch models next month, while Chinese brands continue to set the pace in scale, affordability and integration.

Source: Counterpoint Research