The global wearable band market is rebounding with renewed momentum, growing by 13% year-over-year in Q1 2025 to reach 46.6 million units shipped, according to fresh insights from Canalys (now part of Omdia). This marks a significant recovery following a period of stagnation, driven by rising demand across all wearable categories and a favorable comparison to the previous year’s weaker baseline.
Xiaomi emerged as the top vendor this quarter for the first time since Q2 2021, shipping 8.7 million units — a massive 44% jump compared to Q1 2024. Its success lies in an expanded product lineup, the strategic rollout of HyperOS, and a sharply competitive pricing model. The company’s flagship Redmi Band 5 has gained traction globally, especially in emerging markets where value-for-money remains a decisive factor.
Apple, while second in volume, maintained its premium position with 7.6 million units shipped — a 5% increase year-over-year. With the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch approaching, industry watchers anticipate major updates that could reignite consumer interest later in the year.
Huawei claimed third place, growing 36% to 7.1 million units, supported by the international push of its Huawei Health ecosystem and strong sales from the GT and Fit series. Samsung, meanwhile, posted the strongest growth of any major brand — a remarkable 74% rise to 4.9 million units — as it successfully executed a dual-pronged strategy aimed at both emerging and mature markets.
Canalys analysts point to a critical shift in the market: from hardware specs to ecosystem strength. As profit margins on hardware shrink, leading vendors are investing heavily in integrated platforms and subscription services. Xiaomi, Huawei, and Garmin are all enhancing their ecosystems to drive user retention, with Garmin launching its new Connect+ platform as part of this pivot.
Consumers continue to prioritize price, battery life, and health tracking when choosing wearables, according to a recent Canalys survey. While flashy features may generate buzz, it’s these core functions that dictate purchasing decisions — especially in cost-sensitive regions.
The competition in the wearable space is now more about sticky ecosystems than just step counts. As platforms mature and integration deepens, brands that blend functionality, affordability, and long-term engagement will be best positioned to thrive.
Read the full report at Canalys.