After five years out of the lead, Xiaomi is back on top in the global wearables market. New data from Omdia shows that worldwide wearable shipments crossed 200 million units in 2025, up 6% year over year.
Xiaomi claimed 18% of total shipments, narrowly edging out Apple at 17% and Huawei at 16%. The margins are razor thin, with less than a percentage point separating the top three. Samsung and Garmin round out the top five at 9% and 5%, respectively.
What stands out isn’t just Xiaomi’s return to No. 1 — it’s how close the race has become. According to Omdia’s research manager Cynthia Chen, the competitive focus has shifted. Wearables are no longer just about who has the best display, the most sensors, or the longest battery life. Increasingly, it’s about ecosystem strength. The tighter the integration between devices — phone, tablet, car, smart home — the stickier the user base becomes.
Xiaomi’s comeback appears to be driven by breadth rather than a single breakout product. Its Mi Band lineup continues to move huge volumes in the affordable segment, while its entry-level smartwatches help raise average selling prices without pushing too far into premium territory. The company’s broader “Human × Car × Home” strategy also plays a role, tying wearables more closely to its expanding ecosystem.
Apple, meanwhile, remains dominant in the high-end bracket. Its wearables benefit from deep integration with the iPhone, premium build quality, and an expanding suite of health features. Huawei has carved out a strong position as well, particularly in China, with a wide portfolio and growing focus on professional sports tracking and health tools.
Health tracking is evolving from basic step counts and heart rate monitoring to continuous, more advanced metrics. Some brands are even exploring lighter, more minimalist form factors to improve comfort for 24/7 tracking.
With Xiaomi, Apple, and Huawei separated by just a sliver of market share, 2026 could easily reshuffle the rankings again. For now, though, Xiaomi has its crown back. Going forward, the real battle may be less about hardware and more about who can build the most compelling ecosystem around it.
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