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 the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro — I’ve just bought one.
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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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. ID
