Smartwatch shipments in India dipped yearly for the primary time in 2024, as shoppers moved away from cheap, unknown brands. Apple bucked the broader pattern, nonetheless, with a reported 2.4x progress for the yr.
In accordance with data from analyst agency Counterpoint, India’s smartwatch shipments dropped 30% year-on-year in 2024. Indicators of slowing gross sales emerged last year, because the market was flooded with unknown manufacturers. The pattern aversely impacted established home gamers, slowing the tempo of innovation in consequence.
Because the broader market faltered, Apple Watch noticed a 141% improve in its shipments final yr. That progress bucked a 57% decline for the corporate in 2023, in accordance with Counterpoint.
Counterpoint senior analyst Anshika Jain informed TechCrunch that the Apple Watch noticed an uptick final yr as, “some skilled customers progressively moved to superior smartwatches” for higher well being insights, smartphone integration, and different options absent on cheaper units.
“We anticipate this rising pattern 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 fall.
Nevertheless, Apple Watch’s sizable progress in the end had little impression on its general share of the 35 million smartwatches shipped in India last year, in accordance with IDC. Counterpoint, which doesn’t share absolute cargo figures, informed TechCrunch that the Apple Watch comprised roughly 2% of India’s total smartwatch market in 2024.
Apple Watch’s success boosted general premium smartwatch (priced above $230) shipments in India, with 147% progress. The Collection 10 was the highest mannequin, adopted by the Collection 9. The Apple Watch cumulatively captured 50% of the entire premium smartwatch phase within the nation, per Counterpoint.
Samsung and OnePlus had been the opposite prime gamers within the premium phase final yr, with a 4% and 1% market share, respectively.
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