Five years after slipping from the lead, Xiaomi is back on top of the global wearables market. New figures from Omdia show the company edging past its closest rivals in 2025, as worldwide shipments crossed a major milestone.
Global wearable shipments exceeded 200 million units in 2025. That marks a 6% increase compared to the previous year. Growth remains steady, but the real story lies in how tight the race has become.
Xiaomi captured 18% of total shipments. Apple followed closely with 17%, while Huawei secured 16%. The gap between the top three brands was less than one percentage point. Samsung held a 9% share, and Garmin accounted for 5%. In short, no single company dominates the field anymore.
According to Omdia research manager Cynthia Chen, the competition has shifted. Hardware specs once drove buying decisions. Brands highlighted display quality, sensor count, and battery life. Now, ecosystem integration matters more.
Wearables increasingly act as part of a broader network. Companies focus on how devices connect with smartphones, tablets, vehicles, and smart home products. As a result, stronger ecosystem links help boost long-term customer loyalty.
Xiaomi’s comeback reflects this shift. The company relies on a wide product portfolio. The Mi Band series continues to ship in high volumes in the affordable segment. At the same time, entry-level smartwatches lift average selling prices. However, Xiaomi avoids pushing deeply into the premium tier.
Its “Human × Car × Home” strategy also plays a role. The approach links wearables with cars and connected home products. This ecosystem play strengthens user retention across categories.
Apple, meanwhile, remains strong in the high-end market. Its wearables benefit from tight integration with the iPhone. Premium hardware design and expanding health features add further appeal.
Huawei has also built solid momentum, especially in China. The company offers a broad lineup of devices. It has increased its focus on professional sports tracking and advanced health monitoring tools.
Health tracking itself continues to evolve. Basic step counts and heart rate checks are no longer enough. Brands now explore continuous and more advanced metrics. In addition, some companies test lighter and more minimalist designs. Comfort has become essential for all-day use.
The numbers suggest one clear trend. The wearables market is growing, but leadership can shift quickly. With less than one percentage point separating the top three brands, ecosystem strength may decide who stays ahead next year.
