Samsung Could Benefit as Global Wearable Market Shrinks in 2026

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Samsung could be in a stronger position than many of its rivals as the global wrist wearable market heads for a slowdown in 2026. According to Smart Analytics Global (SAG), worldwide wrist wearable shipments are forecast to decline 5% year-over-year next year.

Premium smartwatches are still growing, and that’s good news for Samsung

According to the market research firm, the slowdown will mainly be driven by weaker demand for basic smartwatches and fitness bands. In addition, the report also points to the ongoing economic downturn. It notes rising interest in smart rings. Furthermore, there’s a gradual shift back to traditional analog watches as key reasons behind the decline.

The outlook is brighter for premium smartwatches. The true smartwatch segment, which includes devices running a full OS with app support, is forecast to grow 2% in 2026. This follows a 6% expansion in 2025.

Apple is expected to remain the global leader with a 41% market share, followed by Huawei at 31%. Moreover, China will account for 30% of global true smartwatch shipments. North America will contribute 24%. SAG says premium buyers remain less affected by economic uncertainty. At the same time, better health features and tighter ecosystem integration continue to support demand.

That trend could work in Samsung’s favor. Unlike brands that depend heavily on entry-level wearables, Samsung has focused on premium Galaxy Watches with One UI Watch, advanced health tracking, and deeper integration with Galaxy smartphones. While the report doesn’t break out Samsung’s expected market share, the company’s strategy aligns with one of the few wearable categories that is still expected to grow. This is despite broader market weakness.

Don’t forget about non-display health bands

Another category expected to gain momentum is non-display health bands. Shipments are forecast to jump 153% year-over-year in 2026, making it the fastest-growing wearable segment. In fact, demand is being driven by consumers looking for distraction-free devices that prioritize health tracking and long battery life.

At the same time, the basic smartwatch and fitness band segment is expected to decline 14%. Buyers are moving toward either premium smartwatches or simple health-focused wearables. For Samsung, that shift could prove to be a silver lining as the wearable market continues to evolve.

Written by

Abhinav Anand

Abhinav Anand is the News Editor at SammyGuru and a technology journalist based in New Delhi. Before joining SammyGuru, he contributed to numerous outlets, including Android Headlines, ExtremeTech, The Mac Observer, Financial Express, Economic Times, iGeeksBlog, KnowTechie, PhonesWiki, SlashGear, and more. You can reach him at [email protected].

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