Surge in Global Wearable Band Market
The wearable band market is witnessing an unprecedented boom, as evidenced by the shipment of 50.2 million devices in the second quarter of 2025. This marks a 13% increase compared to the same quarter last year, according to fresh insights from Omdia research.
The uptick in demand is largely attributed to the appeal of entry-level basic devices, alongside the incorporation of advanced tracking functionalities. Projections indicate an 8% growth rate for 2025, followed by a 9% rise anticipated in 2026.
Smartwatch resurgence aligns with trends in consumer preferences, reshaping the landscape of wearable technology.
The surge in interest for wearable bands stems from an increasing consumer emphasis on health, fitness, and sports, stated Jack Leathem, Analyst at Omdia.
These devices have emerged as a pivotal interface for health, fitness, and wellness applications, coinciding with a growing prioritization of personal well-being. This trend is poised to drive ongoing expansion, particularly as innovations pave the way for market entry into medical and clinical realms.
Smartwatches will serve as the primary catalyst for this growth, while basic watches are increasingly appealing to first-time buyers.
Exploring new use-cases remains crucial, not just for attracting diverse audience segments, but also for advancing vendors’ business models, Leathem continued.
Cellular-enabled devices cater to safety-conscious users across various age brackets and are propelling the adoption of wearables for children in select markets.
Smartwatches, such as the latest models from Apple featuring 5G connectivity, resonate with users seeking enhanced real-time interactions and autonomous functionality, making them more likely to consider an upgrade.
Additionally, Apple’s iPhone Air marks a significant shift toward eSIM-only specifications, streamlining digital purchasing and subscription paradigms.”
“The wearable band market was valued at US$36.6 billion in 2024, and it is anticipated to exceed US$40 billion for the first time by the close of 2025,” commented Omdia Research Manager Cynthia Chen.
Despite fierce competition and erratic upgrade cycles, vendors are broadening their portfolios to stimulate both revenue and profit growth. Notably, smartwatches represent 69% of the market share in the second half of 2025, even though they constitute only 32% of total shipments.
Effectively encouraging consumers to upgrade as they replace aging products will be pivotal for vendors. Moreover, leveraging subscription revenues through value-added services, connectivity subscriptions, and partnerships, with a nearly 500-million-strong active user base, will be high on vendors’ agendas.
Understanding the elements that drive user affinity towards wearables will be essential to capitalize on upselling and cross-selling opportunities, such as the appeal of intuitive metrics and community engagement features.
Source link: Ad-hoc-news.de.
