In 2024, Apple's smartwatch shipments in India surged by 141%, contrasting sharply with a 30% decline in the country's overall smartwatch market. This remarkable growth is attributed to experienced users upgrading to advanced smartwatches that offer enhanced health insights and seamless smartphone integration.
Despite the overall market contraction, the premium segment (devices priced above ₹20,000) expanded by 147% year-on-year. Apple, along with brands like Samsung and OnePlus, led this segment, indicating a shift towards more sophisticated devices among consumers.
In contrast, domestic brands such as Noise, Fire-Boltt, and Boat experienced significant shipment declines—26%, 54%, and 47% respectively—yet they maintained substantial market shares. Noise led with a 27% share, followed by Fire-Boltt at 19% and Boat at 13%.
The overall market decline is attributed to factors like weaker upgrade cycles and unsatisfactory user experiences among first-time buyers, particularly in the lower-priced smartwatch category.
Apple's robust performance amidst a contracting market underscores its strong brand appeal and the growing consumer preference for premium smartwatches in India.