A new forecast from Smart Analytics Global (SAG) brings mixed news for Samsung regarding the global smartwatch market. While 2025 looked promising for the “true” smartwatch segment (i.e. devices with their own apps and connectivity), this one will see a decline.
In 2025, the market grew by 6% year-on-year, indicating a healthy development. The following companies dominated the sales ranking:
- Apple: Market leader with a share of 39% (by sales volume).
- Huawei: Second place with a share of 27%.
- Samsung: Third position with a market share of 12%.
Although Samsung maintains a stable position in the top three, its gap with the leading pair remains significant. According to SAG news The market could also shrink for the first time in a long time in 2026, specifically by 2%, but it expects Samsung to defend its third place. The key to maintaining customer interest will be the technological innovations that the South Korean giant is preparing for its next generation of wearable electronics.
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According to the forecast for 2026, Apple will maintain its leadership position in the smartwatch market with a 39% share. Huawei is expected to jump to 31% and Samsung to hold 12%. Interestingly, only Huawei is expected to show net positive growth, even by 10% year-on-year, while Apple and Samsung are expected to see sales decline by 2% and 8% year-on-year, respectively.
What does Samsung have planned for 2026?
It is expected that the new models Galaxy Watch will be introduced alongside foldable phones (Galaxy Z Fold8 to Z Flip8) at an event that could take place on July 22 in London. The main attractions are expected to include:
- New chipset: Model Galaxy Watch Ultra2 could be powered by a Snapdragon processor for the first time Wear Elite, which would mean a significant leap in performance and efficiency.
- Advanced connectivity: It is speculated that this will be the first 5G smartwatch from Samsung with support for satellite connection and UWB technology (Ultra-Wideband).
- Portfolios: Next to the top model Ultra also includes the standard version Galaxy Watch9.
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Whether these innovations are enough for Samsung to reverse the market's downward trend and strengthen its share in 2026 will only be seen after the summer premiere. The smartwatch market is being eroded by the popularity of smart rings and bracelets without displays, which provide appropriate health metrics but do not "annoy" users with notifications. Such a bracelet is now being prepared not only by Google but also by Garmin.
I wonder if Samsung will follow this trend. All they need to do is remove the display on their bracelet. Galaxy Fit3. Thanks Samsung Health It has a fairly robust platform to provide users with the appropriate data and not have to offer them the unnecessarily complex device that smartwatches are.
Well, it would be enough to extend the battery life to 5 days of active use. At least 4 days and Samsung would jump right in. When it farts on that, ai Apple s ultraThe Mi 3 can easily last 4 and a half days, so it's no wonder Samsung is in third place. They have a nice watch, but the battery life is appalling