Xiaomi Outshines Apple with 61% Wearables Shipment Growth

In a significant market shift, Xiaomi has surged ahead of Apple in the wearables space, posting a remarkable 61% year-over-year shipment growth, compared to Apple’s 28%, according to IDC.

Xiaomi’s growth is fueled by its strategy of offering feature-rich yet affordable devices, appealing strongly to cost-conscious consumers in emerging markets such as China and across Asia. Its entry-level smartwatches and fitness bands deliver popular functions like health tracking, step counting, and notifications at prices far lower than Apple’s premium devices.

Apple, by contrast, continues to dominate the premium smartwatch category, where profit margins are higher. However, its growth pace has slowed, partly due to the lack of major product launches in the first half of the year. Apple’s strength lies in brand loyalty, seamless ecosystem integration, and advanced health features that retain high-value customers.

The report highlights an increasingly polarized wearables market. Chinese vendors such as Xiaomi and Huawei are winning in high-volume, budget-friendly segments, while Apple and Samsung are doubling down on premium offerings.

Looking ahead, Xiaomi is expected to leverage its smartphone and IoT ecosystem for continued expansion, while Apple will focus on advanced health features and services to sustain its leadership in profitability and brand prestige.