Xiaomi Surpasses Apple in the Wearable Electronics Market in 2025
May 26, 2025 — Chinese tech company Xiaomi has officially taken the top position in the global wearable electronics market, surpassing American giant Apple, which had long maintained leadership in this segment. The data was published by IDC based on results from the first quarter of 2025.
Market Shares: Facts and Figures
According to the report:
Xiaomi shipped 11.8 million devices, capturing 13.8% of the global market.
Apple shipped 10.1 million devices (11.8% market share).
Huawei, Samsung, and India’s Noise also made the top five, but with smaller shares.
Xiaomi's growth was fueled by competitive pricing, an expanded lineup of fitness bands and smartwatches, and aggressive expansion into developing markets such as India, Brazil, and Eastern Europe.
Why Did Apple Fall Behind?
Despite steady sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra, Apple lagged in volume due to:
High product prices;
Delivery delays in certain regions;
Decreased demand for premium wearables.
Competitors have also started offering similar features at more affordable prices.
Technology Differences
Xiaomi focuses on functionality and battery life:
Long-lasting battery (up to 14 days for some models);
Features like SpO₂, GPS, NFC, sleep and stress tracking;
Strong integration with Android and apps like Mi Fit/Zepp Life.
What’s Next?
Xiaomi has announced an upcoming expansion of its wearable lineup with a focus on AI-driven health algorithms and hybrid smartwatches. Meanwhile, Apple is rumored to be preparing a major redesign — the Apple Watch X, expected in fall 2025.
Analysts believe competition between the two giants will only intensify, especially ahead of the holiday sales season.
