Garmin‘s smartwatch shipments grew 11% in the second quarter of 2026, lifting its global market share to 5.6%, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. The wider smartwatch market shrank 4% over the same period, the first quarterly fall in a year since Counterpoint recorded a return to growth in 2025.
Counterpoint says Garmin’s growth was driven by strong demand for its high-end outdoor and sports watches. That gave Garmin the second-fastest growth rate among the five leading brands, behind only Apple, despite Garmin having the smallest market share of the group. The growth comes after Garmin reported record revenue for the second quarter of 2026 in July.
Huawei remained the market leader, taking a record 22% share. Its shipments rose 1%, with China accounting for around 80% of its total volume. Apple had the strongest growth among the top five brands, with shipments up 14%. Its market share reached 20.1%, helped by strong demand for the Watch Series 11 and Watch SE 3. Together, the two models accounted for more than 80% of Apple’s shipments during the quarter.
Imoo held a 7.8% share despite a 3% shipment decline. Xiaomi fell to 6.1% share as shipments dropped 38%. All other brands combined held 38.5% of the market, down 8%.
Principal Analyst Anshika Jain said, “Huawei led the market shipments in Q2 2026.”
The wider market is expected to grow just 1% across all of 2026, picking up to an average of 3% a year through 2030, according to Counterpoint. Analysts point to new health features, including blood pressure tracking and needle-free blood glucose monitoring, as reasons buyers will upgrade.
Garmin’s 5.6% share in Counterpoint’s figures is notably lower than the 15% share Omdia reported for the same quarter. The two firms use different definitions and methods for measuring the smartwatch market, which could explain the different results. Omdia’s figures separate basic and budget devices into their own categories, while Counterpoint’s headline smartwatch total appears to include them. That would explain why Apple and Garmin hold a far larger share under Omdia than under Counterpoint, while high-volume budget and children’s watch brands such as Imoo barely register in Omdia’s count.
Last Updated on 9 September 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
