Which watch has just overtaken the Apple Watch in the sales rankings?

After dethroning Garmin at the beginning of the month on the Strava application, the Apple Watch is in turn dethroned by a competitor. As a reminder, the number 1 social app for athletes in the world has just announced that the Apple watch has become the most used on its platform, surpassing Garmin watches for the first time. In terms of global sales, however, another manufacturer has just taken the lead in the ranking.

Numbers that change everything

Latest figures from the International Data Corporation (IDC) show an overall slowdown in the wearables market. The sector displays a slight drop of 1% over the first three quarters of 2024, with 139 million units sold in the world.

Huawei prend first place in the ranking with 23.6 million watches shippedor a spectacular increase of 44.3% compared to 2023. This performance can be explained in particular by the success of its latest models such as the Watch GT 5, GT 5 Pro and Watch D2. The Chinese manufacturer has been able to adapt its strategy to each region, from the Asia-Pacific to the Middle East.

Samsung is in fourth place with a growth of 24,3%far behind Huawei. However, the Korean giant is banking on a complete range, from the affordable Galaxy Watch FE to the high-end Watch Ultra. This strategy will not have been enough to dethrone Apple and Huawei.

A market that is transforming

Huawei’s success can be explained in particular by its presence in the segment of connected bracelets, which are included in the figures, with 26.8 million units soldeither an increase of 12.7%. This trend particularly benefits Huawei, which offers devices at all price points. Apple remains limited to high-end watches and does not offer any connected bracelet to date.

Huawei’s domination is largely based on the Chinese market which represents 45.8 million shipments over the first three quarters of 2024. With growth of 20.1%China alone compensates for the slowdown observed in India and the United States. Other manufacturers will probably have to review their strategy to regain first place on the podium.

Huawei is a formidable competitor for Apple, and this is not the first time that the Chinese giant has overshadowed Cupertino this year. Many wonder where the brand would be today if it had not suffered the heavy sanctions that we know in Western countries.