Xiaomi overtakes Samsung: The new king of the Android wrist?
Xiaomi NewsThursday, 25 December 2025 at 18:24
The global wearable hierarchy just got wrecked. For years, we’ve watched a two-horse race between Apple and Samsung, but 2025 has officially killed that old script. Fresh data from Counterpoint Research confirms a massive shakeup: Xiaomi has sprinted past Samsung to grab the #3 spot globally. While the broader market is finally growing again—up about 7%—the real story isn't the recovery, but who is actually holding the steering wheel.
Key Points:
- Xiaomi officially bumped Samsung to become the world's 3rd largest smartwatch maker.
- The global wearable market saw a 7% year-over-year recovery in 2025.
- China's domestic market now controls 31% of all global smartwatch shipments.
- Samsung shipments fell 6% as it struggled against high-value mid-range rivals.
- Apple ended a seven-quarter slump with a 12% shipment increase in Q3.
The rise of the value-king
Xiaomi didn't win by just selling cheap rubber bands. They played a smarter game. By welding their hardware to HyperOS and HyperConnect, they’ve turned a simple watch into a must-have remote for your entire digital life. By the end of Q3 2025, Xiaomi locked down a 9% market share, leaving Samsung trailing at 8%. It wasn't a slow climb; it was a 22% shipment explosion fueled by a "more for less" strategy that Samsung simply couldn't match in the mid-range dirt.
China as the global engine
The center of gravity has moved. China is now the furnace driving this entire industry, with three of the top five global brands—Huawei, Xiaomi, and Xiaotiancai—calling it home. Thanks to massive government subsidies and a spike in household spending, the replacement cycle for gadgets has gone into overdrive. The result? China’s slice of the global shipment pie is expected to hit 31% by year-end, up from 25% last year. If you aren't winning in China right now, you aren't winning at all.
Samsung and the premium struggle
Samsung is in a weird spot. Even with the Galaxy Watch 8 hitting shelves, the brand saw a 6% dip in total volume. They’re stuck in no-man's-land: Apple owns the ultra-premium "status" buyer, and Xiaomi is eating the value-conscious "spec" buyer. Meanwhile, Apple is finally ending its losing streak, posting a 12% growth thanks to a refreshed SE and the Ultra 3. The market is recovering, but the chairs have been moved, and Samsung is currently the one looking for a place to sit.
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