India’s Wearables Market Evolves: Smartwatch Growth Slows While Smart Glasses Surge

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Introduction

India’s wearable technology landscape is experiencing a pivotal shift. After years of rapid expansion, the smartwatch market is entering a phase of consolidation, signaling changes in consumer preferences and market dynamics. At the same time, emerging categories like smart glasses, smart rings, and advanced earwear are gaining traction, reflecting an evolving ecosystem of connected devices. Insights from the latest IDC report reveal both challenges and opportunities for brands in this transforming sector.

Wearable Market Overview

India’s smartwatch market, which saw explosive growth in 2022 and 2023, is now facing a slowdown. The market is consolidating primarily due to saturation in the entry-level segment, with fewer new buyers entering this category. Despite declining shipment volumes, the average selling price (ASP) rose by 5.1 per cent year-on-year, increasing from \$20.6 to \$21.7 in Q2 2025. This indicates that consumers are now gravitating toward higher-value devices with better features rather than budget options.

In contrast, smart glasses are emerging as a high-growth segment. Shipments surged to 50,000 units in Q2 2025, up from just 4,000 a year ago, fueled by product launches from Meta and Lenskart. These devices are positioned as premium products, reflected in an ASP of \$134. Meanwhile, smart rings recovered from their first-ever decline in Q1 2025, recording modest year-on-year growth of 2.8 per cent with 75,000 units shipped in Q2. Ultrahuman, Gabit, and Aabo dominate this segment, collectively holding 65 per cent market share.

Smart wristbands also recorded strong performance, with shipments jumping 118.5 per cent YoY to 83,000 units, largely driven by Samsung, which accounted for over 80 per cent of the category. Earwear remains a cornerstone of India’s wearable market. Truly Wireless Stereo (TWS) devices maintained a dominant 71.2 per cent share, while over-the-ear models experienced explosive growth, with shipments rising 97.4 per cent YoY to 1.5 million units.

BoAt continues to lead the overall wearables market, increasing its share from 26.7 per cent to 28 per cent year-on-year. Analysts note that the first half of 2025 saw fewer smartwatch launches than expected, but the festive season may revive interest, especially in mid-premium devices with advanced health sensors, NFC support, AI-driven health features, and seamless ecosystem integration. Additionally, white-label, low-cost smartwatches are expected to regain traction through aggressive offline retail bundle offers.

Emerging wearable categories are gaining visibility, powered by innovative use cases and technological enhancements. The earwear segment, in particular, is anticipated to incorporate AI-driven features such as personalized voice assistants, adaptive sound environments, and next-generation noise cancellation. Overall, India’s wearable device market declined 6.3 per cent YoY in the first half of 2025, totaling 51.6 million units, with a quarterly decline of 9.4 per cent to 26.7 million units.

What Undercode Say:

India’s wearables market is entering a maturation stage. Smartwatches, once the star performers, are showing early signs of saturation in entry-level devices, pushing brands to pivot toward mid-premium offerings. This strategic shift is vital for sustaining revenue growth in a market where consumers are increasingly selective, seeking advanced features rather than just affordability. The rise of smart glasses reflects a growing appetite for futuristic, multifunctional devices that blend tech and lifestyle.

The rebound of smart rings indicates that niche categories can still thrive when supported by targeted innovation and strong brand positioning. Ultrahuman, Gabit, and Aabo’s dominance demonstrates that a focused portfolio and ecosystem compatibility are key differentiators in smaller segments. Similarly, Samsung’s commanding share in smart wristbands underscores the influence of brand trust and distribution scale.

Earwear continues to shape the broader wearables landscape, particularly with AI-driven upgrades that improve user experience. This trend suggests that devices integrating health monitoring, personalized assistance, and immersive audio capabilities are likely to capture consumer interest. The overall decline in wearable shipments may seem concerning, but it reflects a natural market correction where only products offering tangible utility and differentiated technology can sustain growth.

The report also highlights the resurgence of white-label smartwatches in offline retail. While these low-cost devices do not compete on premium features, aggressive bundling and accessibility make them appealing to cost-conscious buyers. This bifurcation of the market—premium innovation versus value-driven offerings—signals a dual strategy that brands must adopt to succeed. Looking ahead, integrating AI, predictive health analytics, and cross-device compatibility will be decisive in maintaining consumer engagement.

The combination of slowing smartwatch growth, rising smart glasses demand, and AI-powered earwear signals that India’s wearable ecosystem is diversifying. Companies that focus on product differentiation, user experience, and ecosystem integration are best positioned to capitalize on these shifts. The market correction also offers opportunities for startups to innovate and capture niche segments, especially in categories that combine functionality, fashion, and health.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

Smartwatch market is consolidating: ✅

Smart glasses shipments rose from 4,000 to 50,000 units YoY: ✅
BoAt’s market share increased from 26.7% to 28% YoY: ✅

📊 Prediction

India’s wearable market will increasingly favor mid-premium and AI-enabled devices. Smart glasses and earwear are set to become the next growth engines, while entry-level smartwatches may see stabilization through offline promotions and white-label offerings. By late 2025, the sector is likely to witness a stronger focus on ecosystem integration, predictive health features, and personalized AI-driven experiences, positioning India as a competitive hub for advanced wearables.

🕵️‍📝✔️Let’s dive deep and fact‑check.

References:

Reported By: zeenews.india.com
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