the smartwatch market has expanded by 13 percent in the first quarter, year over year, reflecting a resilient demand as shoppers reopen and budgets align with tech wearables. in this landscape, Samsung remains a strong force, consolidating second place and commanding more than a third of the market share through consistent shipments.
apple once again leads in shipments during the first quarter of 2022, continuing a trend of growth that keeps it at the top. the brand achieved a 14 percent increase in shipments and now holds about 36 percent of the market, up slightly from the prior year.
counterpoint research notes that apple’s enduring loyalty helps sustain its leadership, with a strong appeal among younger consumers that reinforces the brand’s momentum.
on the second tier, samsung solidified its position by lifting its shipments by 46 percent from the first quarter of 2021 to the same period this year, rising to roughly 10 percent of the market from about 7.8 percent previously.
huawei shows a more mixed picture, lacking notable growth and even losing a share of the pie. its portion slipped from 8.1 percent in 2021 to around 7.2 percent in 2022, while the overall market size expanded to about 5 percent year over year from 3.4 percent.
regional patterns point to china contributing a larger share recently, yet the growth pace appears softer than a year ago when expansion ran around 8 percent. this year, shipments from china rose 23 percent at the market level, but that figure trails the prior year’s pace by about one percentage point.
for europe, counterpoint highlights a notable shift. europe accounts for roughly 18 percent of global smartwatch shipments, down from 21 percent in 2021, with annual growth described as stable rather than accelerating.
analysts also discuss the broader geopolitical backdrop, including the ongoing conflict in europe and its impact on logistics and supply chains. these factors contribute to a more cautious outlook as manufacturers navigate shipments across regions.
overall, the smartwatch market grew by 13 percent from the first quarter of the previous year to the current period. after years of double-digit gains, this pace signifies continued strong demand even as concerns about the economic recovery from the pandemic persist.