Market Trends of Wearable Technology Industry
Smartwatches Expected to Drive Market Growth
- The increasing interest in smartwatches among the younger demographic, driven by their numerous benefits, is a key factor propelling the market’s growth. With a growing emphasis on staying connected, the demand for smartwatches has surged. Today's smartwatches enable users to seamlessly receive notifications, calls, and messages on their wrists, eliminating the need to retrieve their smartphones from pockets or bags, providing everything at their fingertips.
- For instance, according to Huawei European Health Survey 2023, 45% of respondents in Spain reported they owned a smartwatch, while 68% expressed interest in buying a new smartwatch for health purposes as of 2023. Meanwhile, almost 80% of respondents in Turkey were interested in purchasing a new smartwatch with health features.
- Smartwatch manufacturers are strategically targeting specific consumer segments, such as athletes, sports enthusiasts, and adventure seekers, through tailored product innovations. By focusing on these niches, they aim to drive sales growth. These smartwatches not only provide fitness metrics but also promote a healthier lifestyle by offering insights into vital health parameters.
- The integration of augmented reality (AR) into smartwatches is poised to be a significant growth driver in the demand for smartwatches. AR is set to elevate smartwatches by enabling users to overlay digital information onto the real world through their wrist-worn devices. This trend could have applications in navigation, gaming, and even education, revolutionizing how users interact with their surroundings.
- Furthermore, the vendors operating in the market studied are introducing smartwatches with new technology integration. For instance, in July 2024, Realme launched its Realme Watch S2, enabled with AI assistant powered by ChatGPT, which distinguishes this watch from other smartwatches by delivering intelligent answers and assistance directly on the wrist, offering a seamless and smart user experience. Such innovations are further driving the adoption of smartwatches among younger and tech-savvy populations globally.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
North America Expected to Hold Major Market Share
- Consumers in the region are recognized for their early adoption of new technologies. Their strong interest in gadgets and wearables, which either enhance their lifestyles or provide health benefits, has driven increased demand, thereby fostering further advancements in the wearable tech sector. The region benefits from a higher average disposable income. This financial flexibility enables consumers to spend more on discretionary items, particularly wearables, thereby expanding the market's growth potential.
- The region's population is increasingly prioritizing health and well-being. Wearables, which monitor fitness metrics, sleep patterns, and health vitals, are addressing this demand. This focus on preventive healthcare is driving a strong market for innovative wearable solutions. Notably, findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey, conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), indicate that nearly a third of American adults use wearables, such as smartwatches, to track their health. Among wearable device users, over 80% of these users are willing to share their device data with their doctors for enhanced health monitoring. However, less than one in four adults with or at risk for cardiovascular disease uses a wearable device.
- Increasing investments by numerous sports associations to eliminate the possibility of any preventable injuries to highly paid professional athletes are expected to fuel the growth of the market in the region. The Golden State Warriors, for instance, are collaborating with smart clothing company Athos to use these products for injury prevention and player performance. This investment represents only a fraction of the involvement of the US athletics sector in the smart clothing industry landscape.
- Apart from the United States, the demand for wearables is also increasing in Canada. The country is expected to provide sufficient expenditures and funding for its military programs (including clothing). Bell has various patents in the United States and Canada that lay out a comprehensive vision for how its wearable technology could be used both by individuals looking to monitor ill loved ones and by institutions wanting to track large populations.
- Moreover, in October 2023, Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Google established a strategic partnership, introducing a RISC-V-based wearables solution designed for Wear OS by Google. This advanced framework aims to drive the integration of custom, power-efficient, and high-performance CPUs within the ecosystem. Both companies are dedicated to enhancing the Snapdragon Wear platforms, reinforcing Qualcomm's position as the leading provider of smartwatch silicon for the Wear OS ecosystem. Such strategic initiatives are further augmenting the market’s growth in the region.
Get Analysis on Important Geographic Markets
Download PDF
