Huawei has recorded impressive results in the first quarter of 2020 according to statistics from the international data corporation (IDC). The tech giant surged to second place just after apple. Consumers are increasingly embracing smartwatches which double as fitness trackers and Kenya has experienced a tremendous adoption of its own.
Smartwatches offers various conveniences such as paring with your smartphone to receive and even sometimes respond to notifications, act as fitness trackers to keep you in shape and can sometimes warn of an underlying health issue with the right hardware.
According to latest figures from the International Data Corporation (IDC) released with regards to Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker report, data showed that global shipments of wearable devices reached 72.6 million units in the first quarter of 2020, with a year-on-year increase of 29.7%.
Huawei managed to scoop the second place giving it a substantial share of the wearable market in the first quarter of 2020, with a year-on-year smartwatch shipment increase of 62.2%.
Data shows that 16.9 million units of smartwatches were shipped in the first quarter of 2020, down 7.1% year on year. Huawei ranked second with 2.6 million units shipped, up 118.5% year on year, making it the only smartwatch brand to grow more than 100%.
Top 5 Watch* Companies by Shipment Volume, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q1 2020 (shipments in millions)
| Company | 1Q20 Shipments | 1Q20 Market Share | 1Q19 Shipments | 1Q19 Market Share | Year-Over-Year Growth |
| Apple | 4.5 | 26.8% | 4.6 | 25.4% | -2.2% |
| Huawei | 2.6 | 15.2% | 1.2 | 6.4% | 118.5% |
| Samsung | 1.8 | 10.8% | 2.0 | 10.8% | -7.2% |
| Garmin | 1.3 | 7.5% | 1.0 | 5.3% | 31.7% |
| Huami | 1.0 | 5.8% | 0.5 | 3.0% | 80.2% |
| Others | 5.7 | 33.9% | 8.9 | 49.0% | -35.7% |
| TOTAL | 16.9 | 100.0% | 18.2 | 100.0% | -7.1% |
* Note: Watch includes both Basic Watches and Smart Watches. Basic watches incorporate a microprocessor, are capable of digitally processing data, and have wireless connectivity, but do not run third-party applications. Smart watches meet all four requirements.
Figures from the IDC report showed that Huawei continued to grow thanks to its strong online presence and close ties with retailers. Besides the Chinese market, Huawei also made successful progress in Europe, Latin America, and other Asian markets.
Despite the current situation and withering economic markets, Huawei’s smartwatch business seems to be growing against the tide, resulting from its new product launch in the first quarter as well as constant optimization of fitness and health features.
In the first quarter of 2020, Huawei unveiled the new HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 Series devices globally. By focusing on continuous optimizations in sensor technology, Huawei smartwatches bears more remarkable advantages over its competitors in fitness and health tracking. The SpO2 blood oxygen level measuring feature came with the new HUAWEI WATCH GT Series also received positive feedback from the market.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 2e launched in Q1 2020 received the “Best Choice” award from Pocketnow, a top global tech outlet.
In addition, Huawei is said to continue accelerating the implementation of 1+8+N All-Scenario Seamless AI Life Strategy in 2020, Huawei smartwatches are integrating into Huawei’s all-scenario ecosystem in a better way, offering consumers richer fitness and health experiences.