Huawei Dominates China’s Online Smartwatch Sales in 2025
China’s online smartwatch market saw notable expansion in 2025, with total adult smartwatch sales reaching 21.34 million units—marking a 15.6% increase compared to the previous year. Revenue surged even more dramatically, climbing 50.8% year-on-year to 24.48 billion yuan (approximately $3.43 billion), largely driven by a rise in the average selling price to 1,147 yuan ($160.58). Leading this growth was Huawei, which claimed the top spot with a 24.5% share of unit sales and an impressive 46.8% increase in sales volume year-on-year.
Key Features Behind Huawei’s Success
Huawei’s smartwatch lineup received a significant refresh in 2025, contributing to its market leadership. The company diversified its offerings to cater to various user needs: the FIT series emphasised slim and lightweight designs, the Watch 5 enhanced HarmonyOS-powered AI and health monitoring capabilities, and the GT 6 targeted fitness enthusiasts with extended battery life and sports-focused features. Additionally, Huawei positioned the Ultimate 2 series as a premium choice for outdoor enthusiasts, reinforcing its presence in the high-end segment.
A crucial factor in Huawei’s performance was the integration of its wearables within the HarmonyOS ecosystem. This seamless connectivity linked smartwatches with smartphones, home devices, and medical systems, creating a cohesive user experience. Huawei also introduced age-friendly functionalities and medical-grade health tracking, enabling it to expand its appeal among senior consumers.
Competition from Apple and Xiaomi
Apple maintained a strong second place in the online smartwatch market with a 16.5% share of unit sales, gaining 5.7 percentage points compared to 2024. The brand’s 2025 launches—the S11, SE 3, and Ultra 3—proved successful, with the S11 benefiting from consumer subsidies and the Ultra 3 targeting premium buyers. Apple dominated the premium price segment above 3,000 yuan ($420), capturing over 60% of sales and 40% of the market’s revenue share.
Xiaomi secured an 8.8% share of unit sales by focusing on value-for-money devices in the 1,000 yuan ($140) price range. Its expanded portfolio, including the Redmi Watch 6, Xiaomi Watch 5, and Watch S4, helped boost sales across entry-level and mid-tier segments.
Outlook for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the smartwatch market in China remains highly competitive. Huawei is expected to continue leveraging its ecosystem integration and localised health services to fortify its market position. Meanwhile, Apple is likely to maintain dominance in the premium segment, capitalising on its strong brand loyalty and high-end product offerings. Xiaomi’s focus on affordability and broadening its range could further strengthen its foothold among budget-conscious consumers.
For those interested in ongoing developments, staying tuned to the evolving strategies and new product launches will be key to understanding how the smartwatch landscape in China continues to shift.