Gadgets & Wearables

2026 Wearables Market Shake-Up: Huawei Tops Wrist Wearables, Apple Retains Smartwatch Throne, as Consumer Demand Polarizes

In the second quarter of 2026, the global wrist-wearables market shrank slightly overall, yet consumer demand split sharply toward either minimalist screen-free bands or premium professional watches—with Huawei topping total shipments through its full-category strategy, while Apple held a near-monopoly in the high-end smartwatch segment, signaling that the industry has now entered a zero-sum era where success hinges on niche specialization and genuine product expertise.