What caused Samsung's 28% decline in the smartwatch market in Q1 2026?

The report doesn't specify explicit reasons — but analysts point to possible factors: market saturation among loyal Samsung users after successive generations, stiffer competition from Garmin among athletes and Apple Watch among Apple fans, and weak differentiation in Galaxy Watch 7 features compared to the previous generation.

Is Imoo a well-known brand outside China and what are its products?

Imoo is a Chinese brand specializing in children's smartwatches — offering phone calls, GPS location tracking, and parent communication. Very popular in China and Asia but limited presence outside this region. Its growth in China reflects strong demand for smart children's watches in the Chinese market.

Is 4% smartwatch market growth a good figure?

In a mature market context yes — smartwatches are not a new product and the explosive initial growth has ended. 4% stable sustainable growth in a market reaching hundreds of millions of units annually means millions of additional units. More importantly the 6% ASP increase means higher revenues disproportionate to shipment volume growth.

Will Apple Watch reach Arab regions more broadly?

Apple Watch is available in most Arab countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and others. The needed expansion isn't geographic but in health features — some Apple Watch health features like glucose tracking aren't approved in our region yet pending regulatory approvals.

When will Counterpoint release the Q2 2026 smartwatch market report?

Counterpoint quarterly reports typically release 8-10 weeks after the end of the quarter. Q2 ends in June 2026 — the report is expected in August or September 2026.

Smartwatch Market Q1 2026 — Apple Leads With 23% Share and 21% Growth, Huawei Second, Samsung Drops 28%, Global Market Grows 4%

Smartwatch Market Q1 2026 — Apple Holds the Lead as Consumers Go Premium

According to the latest Counterpoint report, the global smart wearable market grew 4% in Q1 2026 compared to the same period last year — following a steady recovery in 2025 after a rough 2024. The analysts say Apple's relatively new wearable devices fueled much of the growth, and consumers are now generally more inclined to buy premium smartwatches.

The Big Picture — Moderate Growth and a Shift Toward Premium

The global ASP (Average Selling Price) has risen 6% YoY in the first quarter of this year, which is an indication that consumers are looking for more premium features. And manufacturers seem to be responding to the demand — the latest wearable devices offer more premium features, more sensors and overall better health-tracking capabilities.

A 6% ASP increase is a positive industry indicator — showing growth isn't coming only from budget smartwatches but from a broader base buying more expensive and capable watches. This strengthens profit margins for premium brands like Apple, Garmin, and Huawei.

Apple — Global Leadership With 21% Growth

North America contributed over half of Apple's total shipments, securing its first place with a 23% market share, which is a 21% growth from Q1 2025.

21% growth from the market leader in a maturing market is a notable figure. Apple Watch Series 11 and the newer Ultra contributed to this growth. North America (over half) confirms Apple's heavy home market presence with opportunity for greater expansion in Asia.

Huawei — King of China With 40% Domestic Share

The growth of the Chinese smartwatch market has also contributed quite a bit, with Huawei leading the pack domestically, followed by Imoo and Xiaomi. Shipments in the country grew 15% YoY, and Huawei seized 40% of the domestic market share.

40% domestic market share in China with 15% growth — Huawei dominates the Chinese smartwatch market in an unprecedented way. Continuing to deliver advanced products locally despite trade sanctions gave Huawei Chinese consumer trust. Imoo (children's watches) and Xiaomi occupy second and third place in China.

Global Brand Rankings — Samsung's Notable Decline

Apple first (23%), Huawei second with 12% growth, then Xiaomi, Imoo, and Samsung. The latter recorded a significant 28% dip.

Samsung's 28% decline is a striking figure — Samsung was always a strong competitor in the smartwatch category. Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra launched in 2025 but appear not to have maintained momentum. Analysts point to growing interest shifting from Galaxy Watch toward Garmin products, Xiaomi, and Apple. Samsung will seek to regain momentum with Galaxy Watch 8 expected alongside Fold8/Flip8 in July.