Global Wrist-Worn Device Shipments Surge 10.5% in Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, global shipments of wrist-worn devices increased by 10.5%, totaling 45.6 million units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). This growth reflects a significant recovery in key markets, including Western Europe, the United States, Latin America, and the Asia/Pacific region, excluding India. Notably, China's market experienced a remarkable boost due to government subsidies, leading to a 37.6% year-on-year increase with 17.6 million units shipped.

The wrist-worn device category encompasses both smartwatches and wristbands. The IDC report highlights that the global smartwatch market accounted for 34.8 million units shipped, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year. In contrast, wristband shipments saw a substantial rise of 34.0% globally, with China contributing significantly, where shipments soared by 67.9% to 6.2 million units.

Huawei emerged as the leading vendor in the global wrist-worn market, maintaining its dominance in China. The company's growth was bolstered by the integration of its HarmonyOS and a successful launch of new products, including the Band 10 wristband. This expansion into the mid-to-high-end market is supported by Huawei’s new FIT series smartwatches and an upcoming upgraded WATCH series.

Xiaomi recorded the fastest growth among the top five brands in China, driven by strong sales of entry-level wristbands and Redmi smartwatches, benefiting from the company’s broader smartphone and IoT ecosystem. The mid-range S series also saw a positive response, reflecting Xiaomi’s ongoing premiumization strategy.

Apple, which experienced its highest year-on-year growth in wrist-worn shipments since 2023, benefited from increased retailer inventory in anticipation of potential tariffs. The demand in China was spurred by national subsidies and competitive pricing, leading to a surge in Apple Watch sales.

Conversely, Samsung reported a modest decline in shipments, facing stiff competition from Chinese brands that offer better value, as well as from Apple and Garmin in the more premium segments. Garmin, however, made a comeback into the top five, leveraging its strategic expansion into lower price points and enhancing its appeal within the sports and outdoor markets.

China's wrist-worn device market saw adult smartwatch shipments soar by 52.9% year-on-year in Q1 2025. This growth trend is expected to continue, fueled by the government's "Healthy Weight Management Action" campaign, which promotes healthier lifestyles and is projected to drive the adoption of wrist-worn devices, particularly those focused on health metrics like blood pressure and glucose monitoring.

Sophie Pan, research director at IDC China, emphasized the role of government subsidies in enhancing device adoption, stating, "Wearable brands are responding by expanding their product portfolios around health and fitness use cases, with wider coverage across price points, usage scenarios, and target audiences to meet evolving consumer needs." IDC forecasts that the shipment volume for the Chinese adult wrist-worn market will reach 58.5 million units in 2025, indicating a year-on-year increase of 36.9% and a projected compound annual growth rate of 8.5% over the next five years.

This rebound in the wrist-worn device market indicates a larger trend towards wearable technology as consumers increasingly prioritize health and fitness in their purchasing decisions, with manufacturers adapting to meet these evolving needs.