Canalys: Xiaomi overtakes Apple as the world’s top wearable vendor

Xiaomi has retaken the digital crown in the global wearable band market, surpassing Apple to become the top vendor in Q1 2025, according to new data from Canalys. The research firm says Xiaomi pulled it with a more mature ecosystem strategy than the one it had back in mid-2021 (the last time it led the pack), while Apple’s wearable strategy has grown stale. According to the Q1 2025 report, the wearable band market showed signs of strong recovery. Shipments rose 13% year-over-year to 46.6 million units, driven largely by demand for basic wearables, which are more appealing to emerging markets. And that’s where Xiaomi really pulled ahead. As Canalys analyst Jack Leathem said: Xiaomi has upgraded its Mi Band and Redmi Watch series with refreshed designs and advanced data capabilities, bringing comprehensive features down the price segments, boosting its value proposition. Its growth has also been supported by effective multi-category coordination and competitive pricing, particularly ... Read full article.