According to a recent study by Counterpoint Research, Apple has captured approximately 90% of the global market share for smartwatches equipped with Edge AI technology in the first quarter of 2026. Edge AI refers to artificial intelligence that operates directly on the device, eliminating the need to send data to the cloud. In the case of the Apple Watch, this functionality is powered by the device's Neural Engine, which can, for instance, detect signs of arrhythmia and monitor user falls in real-time.
The demand for smartwatches featuring Edge AI has surged by 70% over the past year, now accounting for 25% of all global smartwatch shipments. Apple's early adoption of specialized neural accelerators has significantly contributed to its dominance in this sector. The S9 chip, which includes a quad-core Neural Engine, was launched in 2023, giving Apple a head start over competitors like Huawei, which only introduced a similar solution in 2025. Qualcomm is set to unveil its Snapdragon Wear Elite platform in 2026, while Google is still in the developmental stage of its own wearable processors.
This stronghold by Apple in the smartwatch market highlights the increasing importance of localized AI capabilities, setting a high bar for competitors to meet in their future offerings. As the market evolves, other brands will need to innovate rapidly to keep pace with Apple’s advancements.
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