Overview
- Counterpoint’s Q1 2026 shipment report published June 22 shows Apple Watch volumes rose 21% year‑over‑year and reached a 23% share of global smartwatch shipments.
- The research says Apple's refreshed lineup added health-focused sensors while the affordable Apple Watch SE 3 lowered the entry price and drew new buyers.
- North America supplied over half of Apple’s shipments even as China and Europe recorded the fastest regional growth for the brand.
- Samsung’s shipments dropped about 28% in the quarter while China’s smartwatch market expanded roughly 15%, with Huawei taking about 40% of Chinese shipments helped by government subsidy programs.
- Analysts caution that global memory chip shortages and weaker macroeconomic demand could modestly slow smartwatch growth through the rest of 2026 and leave Apple’s gains dependent on future product refreshes such as a rumored Ultra redesign.