Notable Absences: The Brands Not Showing in Berlin

• Samsung – The most striking gap. Samsung, historically a major IFA anchor tenant in the CityCube, is not exhibiting this year. Industry sources say the company is planning its own separate event instead .
• Apple – Never exhibits at IFA, sticking to its long-standing strategy of independent product launches .
• Garmin – Was absent from IFA 2025 and has not confirmed exhibitor status for 2026 on public lists .

Broader Market Momentum: Why Screenless Is the Story

The absence of headline product launches at IFA doesn't mean the wearable category is slowing. In fact, the numbers tell a different story:

• Smart rings are the fastest-growing wearable form factor. CCS Insight forecasts 53% growth in smart ring sales in 2026 (to 6 million units), with a 32% CAGR through 2030 (to 15 million units) . Bloomberg/IDC data showed a 49% shipment jump in 2025 alone, far outpacing smartwatches .
• Screenless fitness bands are booming. Omdia reports a record 50.2 million wearable band shipments in Q2 2025, with 9% growth forecast for 2026 .
• Non-subscription models are gaining ground. New entrants like Luna Band and Speediance Strap offer premium screen-free trackers without mandatory subscriptions, challenging Whoop's subscription model .
• Health/medical-grade features are the differentiator. The wearable medical device market is valued at $47.4 billion in 2026 and growing at a 15% CAGR . Smart rings are also extending beyond basic tracking into features like voice notes, meeting transcription, and gesture control .
• Apple is reportedly exploring a screenless health wearable to compete with Whoop and Oura, signaling that even the biggest consumer tech company sees this segment as strategically important .

Bottom line: The wearable category is pivoting sharply toward discreet, health-first, screenless form factors — rings and bands that disappear on your body while tracking everything. IFA 2026 will reflect this shift, but mostly through startup showcases and Xiaomi's expanded presence rather than a flagship ring launch from a household name. The biggest players are either absent (Samsung, Apple, Garmin) or have already launched their key products earlier in the year. For attendees, the real action will be in the fitness and digital health halls, where the future of wearables — small, medical-grade, and subscription-free — will be on display.

Notable Absences: The Brands Not Showing in Berlin

• Samsung – The most striking gap. Samsung, historically a major IFA anchor tenant in the CityCube, is not exhibiting this year. Industry sources say the company is planning its own separate event instead .
• Apple – Never exhibits at IFA, sticking to its long-standing strategy of independent product launches .
• Garmin – Was absent from IFA 2025 and has not confirmed exhibitor status for 2026 on public lists .

Broader Market Momentum: Why Screenless Is the Story

The absence of headline product launches at IFA doesn't mean the wearable category is slowing. In fact, the numbers tell a different story:

• Smart rings are the fastest-growing wearable form factor. CCS Insight forecasts 53% growth in smart ring sales in 2026 (to 6 million units), with a 32% CAGR through 2030 (to 15 million units) . Bloomberg/IDC data showed a 49% shipment jump in 2025 alone, far outpacing smartwatches .
• Screenless fitness bands are booming. Omdia reports a record 50.2 million wearable band shipments in Q2 2025, with 9% growth forecast for 2026 .
• Non-subscription models are gaining ground. New entrants like Luna Band and Speediance Strap offer premium screen-free trackers without mandatory subscriptions, challenging Whoop's subscription model .
• Health/medical-grade features are the differentiator. The wearable medical device market is valued at $47.4 billion in 2026 and growing at a 15% CAGR . Smart rings are also extending beyond basic tracking into features like voice notes, meeting transcription, and gesture control .
• Apple is reportedly exploring a screenless health wearable to compete with Whoop and Oura, signaling that even the biggest consumer tech company sees this segment as strategically important .

Bottom line: The wearable category is pivoting sharply toward discreet, health-first, screenless form factors — rings and bands that disappear on your body while tracking everything. IFA 2026 will reflect this shift, but mostly through startup showcases and Xiaomi's expanded presence rather than a flagship ring launch from a household name. The biggest players are either absent (Samsung, Apple, Garmin) or have already launched their key products earlier in the year. For attendees, the real action will be in the fitness and digital health halls, where the future of wearables — small, medical-grade, and subscription-free — will be on display.