Key Takeaways
- The wearable band market saw 50.2 million devices shipped in Q2 2025, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase.
- Smartwatches are expected to drive 8% growth in 2025, with further 9% growth projected in 2026.
- The market’s value was $36.6 billion in 2024, anticipated to exceed $40 billion by the end of 2025.
Market Demand and Growth Trends
The global wearable band market is experiencing robust growth, with 50.2 million devices shipped in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 13% increase compared to the same period last year, according to Omdia research. This growth is fueled by strong demand for both basic wearable devices and those featuring advanced tracking capabilities. Omdia forecasts an 8% growth for the sector in 2025, with an additional 9% anticipated in 2026.
Jack Leathem, an analyst at Omdia, highlighted that the rising consumer interest in health, fitness, and sports is driving this boom in wearable bands. These devices have established themselves as vital interfaces for health and wellness applications, particularly as consumers increasingly focus on personal health. Innovations introducing wearable technology into medical markets will further sustain market growth.
Leathem also noted that finding new use cases is crucial for attracting diverse audience segments and evolving vendor business models. Cell-enabled devices support safety-conscious users, especially children in select markets, while advanced smartwatches with 5G connectivity are appealing to users seeking enhanced real-time interaction and standalone capabilities. The arrival of devices like Apple’s iPhone Air marks a step toward eSIM-only technology, simplifying digital transactions and subscriptions.
The wearable band market, valued at $36.6 billion in 2024, is expected to surpass $40 billion by the end of 2025. Despite facing intense competition and unpredictable upgrade cycles, vendors are working to diversify their offerings to drive revenue growth. Smartwatches currently account for 69% of the market share in the second half of 2025, even though they represent only 32% of shipments.
Encouraging consumer upgrades and enhancing subscription revenue through value-added services, connectivity options, and partnerships will be vital for vendor success. Properly understanding users’ motivations for adopting wearables, such as the appeal of user-friendly metrics and community engagement features, will also be essential in securing upselling and cross-selling opportunities.
Omdia is a technology research and advisory group, offering deep insights into tech markets to empower organizations in making informed decisions for growth.
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