Omdia: Wearable Shipments Fall 2% as Consumers Shift to Screenless Trackers and Advanced Sports Watches
Global wearable band shipments fell 2% year over year in 2Q26, but the headline decline masks a growing divide in consumer demand according to the latest estimates from Omdia. Smartwatch shipments grew 6% on the strength of advanced sports models, while new screenless basic bands gained momentum as consumers increasingly gravitated towards either minimalist devices or more sophisticated sports watches.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260813100069/en/ Worldwide wearable band shipments, 1Q23 to 2Q26
By contrast, the broader basic band category declined 9% as major vendors adjusted launch cadence and product lifecycles, while basic watches slipped 3% amid waning appeal, particularly in India where earlier shipment surges did not carry into 2026.
"The 2Q wearables market is splitting into two clear winners," said Jason Low, Research Director at Omdia. "Consumers want either minimalist, screenless trackers they can wear 24/7 or feature-rich sports watches with superior accuracy and multi-day battery life. Premium and screenless devices are gaining ground, while basic watches and mid-tier smartwatches are being left behind."
