In the first quarter of 2026, Apple has captured a staggering 90% of the global market for smartwatches equipped with artificial intelligence features, according to analysts from Counterpoint Research. This segment has seen a remarkable growth of 70% year-on-year, driven by the increasing adoption of Edge AI technologies that allow processing directly on the device without reliance on cloud services.
The rise in demand for smartwatches with local AI capabilities has been notable, with Apple leading the pack by shipping approximately nine out of ten devices in this category. Notably, AI-enabled models now account for about 25% of all smartwatches sold. During the reporting period, there was a significant increase in the shipments of smartwatches featuring blood pressure monitoring, which doubled, while those with sleep apnea detection tripled. The market share for models with blood pressure monitoring rose from 11% to 23%, and those with sleep apnea detection increased from 5% to 18%.
Apple Watch utilizes an integrated neural processor to facilitate gesture commands, Siri requests, and various health and safety functions, all processed on the device itself. As a result, the penetration of Edge AI in the smartwatch segment is projected to reach 32% by the end of the year.
This commanding market position underscores Apple's dominance in wearable technology, leaving competitors to rethink their strategies to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI capabilities within smartwatches.
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