Smartwatch shipments in India dipped yearly for the primary time in 2024, as shoppers moved away from low-cost, unknown manufacturers. Apple bucked the broader development, nonetheless, with a reported 2.4x development for the yr.
In line with data from analyst agency Counterpoint, India’s smartwatch shipments dropped 30% year-on-year in 2024. Indicators of slowing gross sales emerged final yr, because the market was flooded with unknown manufacturers. The development aversely impacted established home gamers, slowing the tempo of innovation consequently.
Because the broader market faltered, Apple Watch noticed a 141% enhance in its shipments final yr. That development bucked a 57% decline for the corporate in 2023, based on Counterpoint.
Counterpoint senior analyst Anshika Jain informed TechCrunch that the Apple Watch noticed an uptick final yr as, “some skilled customers step by step moved to superior smartwatches” for higher well being insights, smartphone integration, and different options absent on cheaper gadgets.
“We count on this rising development to proceed in 2025,” she added.
The expansion in Apple Watch shipments aligns with the the iPhone’s increasing marketshare within the nation. Apple emerged as one of many top-five smartphone distributors in India final yr, with a roughly 10% share in in This autumn.
Nevertheless, Apple Watch’s sizable development in the end had little affect on its total share of the 35 million smartwatches shipped in India last year, based on IDC. Counterpoint, which doesn’t share absolute cargo figures, informed TechCrunch that the Apple Watch comprised roughly 2% of India’s complete smartwatch market in 2024.
Apple Watch’s success boosted total premium smartwatch (priced above $230) shipments in India, with 147% development. The Collection 10 was the highest mannequin, adopted by the Collection 9. The Apple Watch cumulatively captured 50% of the entire premium smartwatch section within the nation, per Counterpoint.
Samsung and OnePlus had been the opposite high gamers within the premium section final yr, with a 4% and 1% market share, respectively.