Canalys·2025-05-23 05:04Core Viewpoint - The global wearable wristband device market is experiencing significant growth, with a 13% year-on-year increase in Q1 2025, reaching a shipment volume of 46.6 million units, driven by demand recovery and a low base from the previous year [1][6]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The three main product categories—basic bands, basic watches, and smartwatches—are all showing growth, contributing to market expansion [1]. - Xiaomi has regained the top position in the wearable wristband market for the first time since Q2 2021, with a 44% increase in shipments to 8.7 million units, largely due to the popularity of the Redmi Band 5 [3][6]. - Apple ranks second with a 5% increase in Apple Watch shipments, reaching 7.6 million units, while Huawei remains third with a 36% increase to 7.1 million units [3][6]. - Samsung's shipments surged by 74% to 4.9 million units, supported by a dual-track strategy targeting both emerging and developed markets [3][6]. - Garmin holds the fifth position with a 10% increase in shipments to 1.8 million units, leveraging a differentiated product mix and the new Connect+ platform [3][6]. Group 2: Ecosystem and Service Focus - The wearable wristband market is shifting from a hardware-driven model to an ecosystem-driven approach, with companies focusing on platform and service development to enhance user retention and drive sustainable revenue [2][5]. - Xiaomi is deepening device integration and user engagement through its extensive product lineup and HyperOS, while Huawei is building a closed-loop health ecosystem via the Huawei Health App [2]. - Global brands like Oura and Whoop prioritize services over hardware, utilizing subscription models to enhance user value [2]. Group 3: Consumer Preferences and Innovation - Companies must balance innovation and core functionalities to stimulate consumer demand, with price, battery life, and health monitoring being the top three factors influencing purchasing decisions [3]. - As market education progresses and device penetration increases, software capabilities and ecosystem integration are expected to unlock higher added value, making differentiation more pronounced [3].