Xiaomi has overtaken the US-based Fitbit and Apple in global wearable market by capturing 17 per cent share of the total 22 million units that were shipped in the second quarter this year.

According to a research by Strategy Analytics on Thursday, global wearables shipments rose eight per cent annually from 20 million in second quarter last year.

Strong demand for low-cost fitnessbands in China and premium smartwatches across the US drove the uptick.

“Xiaomi captured 17 per cent global marketshare and overtook Fitbit and Apple to become the world’s largest wearables vendor. Fitbit is at risk of being trapped in a pincer movement between the low-end fitnessbands sold by Xiaomi and the fitness-led, high-end smartwatches sold by Apple,” said Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics.