Xiaomi regains top spot in global wearables market

Xiaomi has once again become the world's largest wearable device manufacturer, according to data from analyst firm Omdia, for the first time in five years. Global shipments of wearable devices are expected to exceed 200 million units in 2025, representing an increase of approximately 6% compared to the previous year. Xiaomi achieved an 18% market share, just ahead of Apple with 17% and Huawei with 16%. The gap between the top three manufacturers was less than one percentage point, indicating an extremely close battle in the segment.

Omdia points out that competition has become much more intense in recent years. Manufacturers are no longer focusing solely on hardware specifications such as screen quality, number of sensors or battery life, but rather on ecosystems that connect phones, watches, headphones and services into a unified user experience. According to research manager Cynthia Chen, ecosystem integration has become a key factor in customer decision-making.

Xiaomi has achieved its growth through a combination of three factors: aggressive pricing that appeals to a wide range of users, a wide range of offerings, from basic fitness bands to advanced smartwatches, and a strong presence in fast-growing markets where customers are looking for affordable yet reliable devices. The company has also strengthened its partnerships with other brands and expanded its ecosystem in recent years, which has helped it gain additional market share.

The wearables market is becoming more mature and competitive. As hardware differences between manufacturers become smaller, the future battle will be fought mainly in the areas of: software, connected services, health features, and integration with other devices. Xiaomi's return to the top shows that even a manufacturer that is not the most premium-oriented can take the lead if it can offer the right combination of functionality, price, and ecosystem.