Apple defied India’s declining smartwatch market in 2024, posting a remarkable 141% increase in Apple Watch shipments. While the country’s overall smartwatch segment shrank by 30% year-on-year due to fading demand for budget models, Apple’s strong growth highlighted a shift toward premium devices. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s surge came as more consumers upgraded to advanced smartwatches with improved health tracking and seamless smartphone integration.
This growth reversed the company’s 57% shipment decline in 2023, marking a major rebound for the Apple Watch in India. Apple’s smartwatch success mirrored its rising smartphone presence in the country. The company entered India’s top-five smartphone vendors last year, achieving an estimated 10% market share in Q4. As iPhone adoption increased, more users turned to the Apple Watch for its ecosystem integration, boosting sales.
Despite its exceptional growth, Apple Watch still represented just 2% of India’s total smartwatch shipments in 2024, estimated at 35 million units, according to IDC. However, its dominance in the premium smartwatch category priced above $230 was far more pronounced. Apple captured 50% of this high-end segment, with the Apple Watch Series 10 leading sales, followed by the Series 9. The premium smartwatch market expanded 147% last year, largely driven by Apple’s momentum.
Competitors Samsung and OnePlus trailed behind, with just 4% and 1% market share in the segment, respectively. Industry analysts expect Apple’s upward trend to continue in 2025, as more consumers seek feature-rich wearables over budget alternatives. While Apple Watch remains a niche player in India’s overall smartwatch market, its explosive growth underscores the increasing demand for premium devices in the country. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.
