(Yicai Global) Sept. 6 -- Chinese smartphone and electronic gadgets maker Xiaomi has surpassed US tech giant Apple in shipping wearable equipment in the second quarter, according to the latest research.

Xiaomi’s global shipments of wearable equipment in the three months ended June 30 rose 2.6 percent to 8 million units from a year ago, taking 19.6 percent market share, according to data released by Singaporean market research firm Canalys on Sept. 3. Apple’s shipments jumped 29.4 percent to 7.9 million units, accounting for a 19.3 percent market share.

Shenzhen-based electronics maker Huawei Technologies secured the third place with 3.7 million units shipped, down 54 percent from last year. Its market shares also dropped about 9 percent, mainly due to the limitations the Shenzhen-based electronics maker has to enter the US market, an executive at Huawei’s wearable smart products unit told Yicai Global.

The Beijing-based firm’s performance was bolstered by the launch of a new smartwatch brand. “Xiaomi made a wise move to hasten the release of the Mi Band 6, which is a more compelling device than its predecessor,” Canalys research analyst Cynthia Chen said.

The global wearable band market grew by 5.6 percent in the second quarter from last year, with the shipment of 40.9 million units, the report also said. Over 60 percent of all wearable products are smartwatches.

Apple ranked first in the shipment of smartwatches in the second quarter, with a market share of 31.1 percent. Huawei followed with 9 percent share, with shipments down almost 34 percent to 2.3 million units from a year ago. Xiaomi occupied the fifth spot with 1.5 million wearable equipment shipped, up 272.6 percent from the same period last year.

Editors: Xu Wei, Futura Costaglione