Why the clock is ticking for Indian smartwatch makers
Dec 9, 2024
auto_awesome
The Indian smartwatch market is facing a tough time after a boom just a year ago. Popular brands like Boat and Noise are losing their appeal as new budget-friendly competitors enter the scene. Consumer demand has sharply declined, prompting established brands to rethink their strategies. Some are shifting focus towards audio technology to adapt to market saturation. It's a fascinating look at how quickly trends can change in the tech landscape!
The Indian smartwatch market has drastically shifted from high demand to low consumer interest due to rising competition and pricing wars.
Established brands like Boat and Noise are struggling to adapt by improving product quality and features, aiming to regain market relevance.
Deep dives
Decline of Popularity in Smartwatches
The smartwatch market in India has experienced a dramatic shift from a peak of popularity to a significant decline within just a year. Last year, brands like Boat and Noise capitalized on a surge in demand, with millions ordering smartwatches, but currently, consumer interest has plummeted. This downturn can be partly attributed to more affordable new entrants, such as Firebolt, which has attracted price-sensitive buyers with models priced around 1,000 to 1,100 rupees. As customers increasingly view smartwatches as fashionable accessories rather than essential tech, brands that thrive on lower pricing strategies find themselves in a precarious position.
Impact of Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior
The competitive landscape of the smartwatch industry has been reshaped by aggressive pricing wars, forcing established brands to lower their prices and resulting in significant financial losses. For instance, Boat reported a loss of 54 crore rupees in FY24, while Noise reported a 20 crore rupee loss, reflecting the unsustainable pressure caused by a focus on low-cost offerings. Moreover, consumer preferences have evolved, with many now seeking watches that provide actual health tracking capabilities, creating a dichotomy between budget and premium models. Consequently, brands that primarily target casual consumers are struggling to innovate and provide meaningful value, as they shift their focus from marketing to improving product quality.
Strategic Shifts Towards Product Quality and Differentiation
In response to mounting challenges, smartwatch brands are reevaluating their strategies, prioritizing product development over excessive marketing. Companies like Noise are adopting changes such as refining their user interfaces and transitioning to higher-quality materials, aiming for a differentiated value proposition. New product launches, like Noise's Diva 2 smartwatch, showcase a commitment to catering to specific consumer needs, such as menstrual cycle tracking, while also attempting to maintain competitive pricing. However, despite these efforts, brands face a tough road ahead due to their lack of proprietary technology compared to industry leaders like Apple and Google, which may leave them perpetually playing catch-up.
1.
The Shifting Dynamics of India's Smartwatch Market
It really isn’t a great time to be a smartwatch brand in India. Pun intended. You see, the market for smartwatches in India has gone from seeing dizzying highs to depressing lows, all within the span of one year.
Just last year in September, at least 17 million people had placed orders for smartwatches across the country. Everyone seemed to want to get their hands on one. And the two brands that were largely credited for this new craze were Boat and Noise.
But now, a little over a year later, all those people who were frantically buying smartwatches last year aren’t buying them anymore. What’s more is that the likes of Boat and Noise – brands that had dominated the market thus far and set all sorts of new records – are now losing their sheen. They have very steadily been losing market share to a handful of new entrants.
What changed?
Tune in.
Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.Listen to the latest episode of Two by Two here
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode