Xiaomi Overtakes Apple to Become Top Supplier of Wearable Bands in Q2

According to a report released by Canalys on September 2, Xiaomi surpassed Apple to become the largest wearable band supplier during the second quarter of 2021, with Huawei, Fitbit and Samsung following close behind.

According to the report, Xiaomi shipped 8 million smart wearable bands in the quarter (including watches and bracelets), while Apple’s total shipments reached 7.9 million units.

Xiaomi’s performance was bolstered by the launch of its Mi Smart Band 6. “Xiaomi made a wise move to hasten the release of the Mi Band 6, which is a more compelling device than its predecessor,” said Canalys Research Analyst Cynthia Chen. “Xiaomi’s quick pivot to basic watches also helped the company boost its wristwatch shipments by 1.3 million units this quarter.”

Meanwhile, Apple Watch fans are waiting for the release of Series 7 later this month. Apple continues to lead the global wristwatch market, commanding a sizeable lead with a 31.1% market share in Q2 2021. Huawei and Garmin ranked second and third, respectively, with market shares of 9% and 7.6%. With a market share of less than 6%, Xiaomi shipped just 1.5 million wearable wristwatches during the period.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Wins Top Spot in June’s Global Mobile Phone Sales with Market Share Exceeding 17%

“Vendors are attempting to make a big generational leap in smartwatch technologies. To stand out, they are improving user experience, battery life, and creating their own distinct UIs,” said Canalys Research Manager Jason Low. “But the ability to deliver cutting-edge health-tracking features and to offer users meaningful data is the most prominent factor for smartwatches.”

According to data from Gartner, a research institute, the global wearable device expenditure is expected to increase by 18% to reach $81.5 billion in 2021, and will increase by another 15% in 2022.