Wearable Tech Diverges as Smartwatches Rise and Screenless Trackers Emerge
Global wearable band shipments fell 2 per cent year over year in Q2 2026, according to Omdia figures reported by ChannelNews and SMBtech.
Glenn Harwood·updated August 17, 2026
Wearable Market Splits As Smartwatches And Screenless Trackers Gain Ground
The aggregate decline masks divergent segment-level movement: smartwatch shipments rose 6 per cent, basic bands dropped 9 per cent, and basic watches slipped 3 per cent. The data shows a market bifurcating rather than contracting uniformly.
Headline Numbers
| Segment | Q2 2026 YoY |
|---|---|
| Total wearable bands | -2% |
| Smartwatches | +6% |
| Basic bands | -9% |
| Basic watches | -3% |
Omdia attributed part of the basic watch decline to weaker India shipments following stronger prior-period levels. The aggregate figure also conceals a category split within basic bands: screenless trackers — devices with no display, intended for 24-hour wear — represented more than 15 per cent of basic band shipments during the quarter. Shipments of these devices reportedly increased quickly following the introduction of Google's Fitbit Air and Garmin's Cirqa.
Vendor Share Shifts
In the smartwatch segment, Apple retained the lead at 46 per cent, down from 48 per cent year over year. Samsung held second place at 15 per cent, down from 17 per cent. Garmin reached 15 per cent, drawing level with Samsung. Garmin's gain reflects sustained demand from runners, cyclists, and outdoor users prioritising training accuracy and multi-day battery life, supported by expansion of the Forerunner series.
| Vendor | Smartwatch Share Q2 2026 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 46% | -2 pp |
| Samsung | 15% | -2 pp |
| Garmin | 15% | gained |
Across the broader wearable band market, Huawei led at 18 per cent, up from 17 per cent year over year. The result was supported by cross-platform smartphone compatibility and the international launch of its flagship children's smartwatch. Xiaomi held 17 per cent (down from 19 per cent). Apple's overall band share rose to 16 per cent (from 15 per cent). Samsung's overall share fell to 6 per cent (from 9 per cent). Garmin rose to 6 per cent (from 4 per cent).
Omdia Research Director Jason Low characterised the market as splitting between minimalist devices suited to continuous wear and feature-rich sports watches with longer battery life. "The 2Q wearables market is splitting into two clear winners," Low observed in remarks reported by SMBtech. "Consumers want either minimalist, screenless trackers they can wear 24/7 or feature-rich sports watches with accuracy and multi-day battery life."
What to Track
Three data points for subsequent quarters:
- Garmin's smartwatch share versus Samsung — whether the 15 per cent tie resolves upward or downward.
- Screenless tracker share of basic band shipments — whether the >15 per cent level is sustained or grows.
- Children's smartwatch category performance as Huawei's international rollout matures.
Capital flows in the consumer hardware sector continue to extend beyond direct product revenue. Some ecosystem players are routing development funding through emerging launchpad platforms alongside traditional retail channels.
Verdict: the wearables market now rewards vendors positioned at either end of the spectrum. Premium sports watches and screenless trackers are the two lanes with confirmed shipment growth. Mid-tier smartwatches and feature-light basic bands remain exposed to continued contraction.