Huawei Overtakes Apple as Leading Wearables Brand
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Huawei’s success despite facing sanctions from the U.S. is particularly noteworthy. The company’s strong lineup of smartwatches played a key role in driving its impressive growth in shipments.
Xiaomi secured third place in the wearable market with its popular Xiaomi Band 9.The band saw several improvements this year, including a brighter screen, increased battery capacity, and the addition of more sports and health-tracking features. Xiaomi shipped 20.5 million wrist-worn wearable units in the first three quarters of 2024, representing a 26.5% increase from the corresponding period in the previous year. Samsung shipped 11.5 million watches during the same timeframe.
China Remains Largest Market
China continues to be the world’s largest market for wrist-worn wearables.wearables Market Shows Slight decline in 2024
The global market for wrist-worn wearables experienced a slight dip in the first three quarters of 2024, with shipments falling by 1% compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this dip, shipments still reached a notable 139 million units.Huawei Leads the Pack
Huawei emerged as the leading brand in the wearables market during the first three quarters, capturing a 16.9% market share. Apple trailed closely behind with 16.2%, followed by Xiaomi with 14.7%. Samsung, known for its Galaxy Watch series, secured the fourth spot. Notably,the company’s introduction of the Galaxy Watch Ultra gave it a competitive edge in the premium segment,directly challenging the Apple Watch Ultra 2. BBK, a Chinese manufacturer specializing in children’s watches, claimed fifth place. The company delivered 7.8 million units in the first three quarters, marking a 25.9% year-over-year increase.China Remains a Key Market
China continues to be the largest market for wrist-worn wearables. Shipments in the first three quarters of 2024 reached an impressive 45.8 million units, reflecting a ample 20.1% year-over-year growth. The wearables category encompassed both smartwatches and wristbands, with the Xiaomi Band 9 serving as a prime example of the latter.## Archyde Interview: Huawei’s Wearable Reign
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today, we’re diving into a seismic shift in the wearable market. Joining us to discuss Huawei’s surprising ascent to the top spot is [Alex Reed Name], a leading tech analyst specializing in consumer electronics. [Alex Reed Name], thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Let’s get right to it. Huawei overtaking Apple in wearable shipments is big news. What are the key factors behind this dramatic shift?
**Alex Reed:** According to IDC’s Worldwide Wearables Quarterly Tracker, Huawei shipped an remarkable 23.6 million units in the first three quarters of 2024, representing a 44.2% increase year-on-year. [[1]]This surge in shipments underlines strategic decisions by Huawei. For instance, their focus on innovation, especially in fitness tracking adn health monitoring features, has resonated strongly with consumers.
**Host:** Interestingly, we saw Apple briefly reclaim the top spot with the release of the Apple Watch series 10. Though, as you mentioned, this was a temporary lead.What does this tell us about the competitive landscape?
**Alex Reed:** The temporary resurgence of Apple highlights the fierce competition in the wearable market. While Apple remains a formidable player, Huawei’s sustained growth trajectory suggests a shifting consumer preference.
**Host:** Looking ahead, what challenges and opportunities do you foresee for Huawei in maintaining this lead?
**Alex Reed:** Maintaining this lead will require continued innovation and a focus on user experience. Huawei needs to stay ahead of the curve in terms of features, design, and interoperability with other devices. They also face the challenge of navigating geopolitical tensions and potential supply chain disruptions. [[1]]
**Host:** Thank you for those insightful comments, [Alex Reed Name]. This certainly paints a fascinating picture of the future of wearable technology.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure.
## Huawei’s Rise to Wearables Dominance: An Interview with [Experts Name]
**[Interviewer]** Welcome to Archyde, [Experts name].
Huawei’s disruptive entry into the world of wearables adn its surpassing of Apple is truly remarkable. What are your thoughts on this industry shake-up?
**[Experts Name]** It’s certainly a significant growth. For years, Apple has been the titan of the wearables market, but Huawei’s aggressive strategy and innovative products have clearly resonated with consumers. This isn’t a sudden overnight success; Huawei has been steadily building its presence in the wearables space for years, strategically targeting different markets and price points.
**[Interviewer]** Huawei’s success comes despite facing sanctions from the US. How have they managed to overcome these challenges and achieve this extraordinary growth?
**[Experts Name]** Huawei’s resilience is commendable. They’ve focused on strengthening their own ecosystem, developing their HarmonyOS platform, and diversifying their supply chains. They’ve also effectively cultivated a strong customer base in key markets like China, which remains a dominant force in the wearables industry.
**[Interviewer]** Looking at the broader picture, the IDC report, which you mentioned, shows a slight decline in the overall wearables market.What factors might be contributing to this trend?
**[Experts Name]** it’s likely a combination of factors. We’re seeing saturation in some mature markets, and consumers might be holding off on upgrades due to economic uncertainties.
Moreover, the wearables landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with new players emerging and established brands sharpening their strategies.
**[Interviewer]** Speaking of competition, how do you see Huawei’s rise affecting other major players like Apple and Samsung?
**[Experts name]** it’s undoubtedly going to intensify the competition. Both Apple and samsung will need to respond strategically to maintain their market share. We might see them focus on premium features,expanding their product lines,and possibly even exploring new market segments.
**[Interviewer]** Looking ahead, what are the key trends you anticipate shaping the future of the wearables market?
**[Experts Name]** We’ll see a continued emphasis on health and fitness tracking, with advancements in sensor technology and AI-powered insights.
There’s also a growing focus on integration with smart homes and other IoT devices, creating a more interconnected ecosystem.
expect to see more innovative form factors, like smart rings and AR glasses, blurring the lines between wearables and other consumer electronics.
**[Interviewer]** thank you, [Experts Name], for sharing your insightful perspectives on this exciting and rapidly evolving market.
