2026: Are the channel partners ready for exploring wearables market?

Smart rings, savvy watches, and sharper buyers – India's wearable wave is growing up. As trends shift and Tier-2 cities awaken, the real question is: are channel partners geared up or getting left behind in this next-gen tech marathon?

- SWAMINATHAN B.

The wearable technology market in India has evolved from a niche segment for early adopters into a mainstream consumer electronics juggernaut, fundamentally altering how Indians interact with personal health data and digital connectivity. While the sector experienced an explosive boom post-2020, fuelled by the pandemic-induced urgency for health monitoring, recent trends in 2024 and 2025 indicate a market shifting towards maturation and consolidation.

Following years of triple-digit growth, the market is now stabilising, with consumers becoming more discerning about accuracy and utility rather than just novelty. This shift was evidenced by a temporary correction in smartwatch shipments in 2024 even as the earwear (TWS) segment continued to surge. The democratisation of technology has been the central theme of this narrative; aggressive pricing strategies by homegrown champions like boAt and Noise have successfully undercut global giants, bringing features like SpO2 monitoring, Bluetooth calling and AMOLED displays to sub-Rs 2,000 price points.