In a significant industry shift, Xiaomi has overtaken Apple to become the world’s top wearables brand in Q1 2025, according to a recent report by Canalys. This marks a major milestone in the rapidly evolving wearables market, as the Chinese tech giant climbs to a 19% market share, edging past Apple, which now holds 17%.
A Shift in Wearables Leadership
For years, Apple’s dominance in the smartwatch and wearable fitness segment has remained unchallenged, largely due to the popularity of the Apple Watch and AirPods ecosystem. However, Xiaomi’s aggressive pricing strategy, expanded product lineup, and strong growth in emerging markets have played a pivotal role in its rise to the top.
The Canalys report highlights that global wearable shipments increased by 6% year-over-year in Q1 2025, signaling a rebound in consumer demand. Xiaomi emerged as the primary driver of this growth, shipping millions of units across its smartwatch, fitness band, and TWS (true wireless stereo) product categories.
What Drove Xiaomi’s Success?
1. Affordable and Feature-Rich Products
Xiaomi has built its wearables reputation by offering cost-effective, feature-loaded devices that appeal to a broad customer base. Products like the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, Watch 2 Pro, and Redmi Buds 5 Pro offer functionality similar to premium competitors, at a fraction of the price.
2. Strong Presence in Emerging Markets
Xiaomi’s expansion across India, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe has contributed significantly to its surge in market share. These regions show growing demand for budget-friendly smartwatches and fitness trackers, a segment where Xiaomi excels.
3. Integration with Mi Ecosystem
Xiaomi’s wearables seamlessly integrate with its broader ecosystem of smart home and smartphone products. This cohesive user experience encourages existing Xiaomi customers to invest in the brand’s broader portfolio, boosting repeat purchases and brand loyalty.
Apple’s Position and Response
Although Apple has dropped to second place, it still holds a strong position in the premium smartwatch and health-focused wearable segment. Apple’s wearables, particularly the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, remain the top choices among iOS users and health-conscious consumers in developed markets.
Industry experts believe Apple is likely to respond by enhancing AI-driven health features, refining the watchOS 11 ecosystem, and possibly introducing more affordable models to appeal to budget-conscious users.
Market Breakdown by Share – Q1 2025
According to Canalys:
- Xiaomi – 19%
- Apple – 17%
- Huawei – 10%
- Samsung – 9%
- Noise (India) – 5%
- Others – 40%
This data indicates that while Xiaomi leads, the market remains fragmented with strong competition from regional brands and global tech giants.
Industry Reaction
Technology analysts view this shift as a pivotal moment in the wearables market. Anil Bhatt, senior analyst at TechScope India, notes:
“Xiaomi’s growth stems from its steady innovation, budget-friendly offerings, and keen insight into the demands of emerging markets. It reflects a global shift where value-driven purchases are influencing brand dominance.”
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Xiaomi aims to expand its AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) product offerings, with plans to introduce more advanced wearable tech, including non-invasive health monitoring, gesture controls, and AI-based fitness coaching.
Meanwhile, Apple, Samsung, and Huawei are also expected to invest heavily in wearable innovation and health-tech integration, ensuring that the competition remains fierce.
Conclusion: Xiaomi Sets a New Benchmark in Wearables
Xiaomi’s ascent to the top of the global wearables market underscores a major transformation in consumer priorities—value, accessibility, and innovation are now taking center stage. As wearable technology becomes more integrated into daily life, Xiaomi’s strategy could serve as a blueprint for success in the next phase of the digital lifestyle revolution.
