The smartwatch market is entering a new race.

From a technology product with basic utility, the smartwatch has become an indispensable personal device for those pursuing an active lifestyle.

According to market research firms, Vietnam is among the countries with the fastest-growing wearable device markets in the Asia- Pacific region.

Clearly differentiated

The smartwatch market is currently divided into three segments. The entry-level segment, priced under 5 million VND, is dominated by Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Huawei. Products in this group adequately meet basic needs such as heart rate monitoring, step counting, sleep tracking, and receiving notifications from mobile phones.

Besides very competitive prices, suitable for students or first-time smartwatch users, these brands also have the advantage of long battery life.

In the mid-range segment, priced between 5 and 10 million VND, Samsung's Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch SE models are seen as strong contenders.

Smartwatches in this price range integrate a variety of features such as making and receiving calls, stress level measurement, music control, blood pressure monitoring, advanced fitness tracking, and wireless payment support (NFC). This segment attracts office workers and young people who are health-conscious and need a wearable device that is both modern and fashionable .

The high-end segment – ​​priced from 10 million VND and above – features competition from products such as the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra, Huawei GT 5 Pro, Garmin Forerunner 965, Garmin Fexnix 7 Series/Femix 8 Series, and others.

This segment targets users who regularly engage in high-intensity training and sports , requiring accurate tracking, good water resistance, multi-frequency GPS, and long battery life. Additionally, factors such as design, materials (often sapphire glass and titanium frames), and large watch faces also significantly influence user choices.

Ms. Hanh Thu, a runner from the 5:30 community (a group of people who love running and waking up early to exercise), has been using her Garmin Forunner 265S for two years. At the time of purchase, the watch cost 11.2 million VND.

Besides being pleased with its youthful and dynamic design, Ms. Thu chose Garmin because of its health tracking features during sports activities, such as heart rate, speed, and calorie expenditure. "The battery life is excellent, only needing to be charged once every 2-3 weeks, which is also a factor that keeps me loyal to Garmin," Ms. Thu said.

Smartwatches are increasingly offering more features to attract users.

The priority is no longer low prices.

A recent survey by market research firm Cimigo among consumers with incomes of 20 million VND/month or more, aged 24-55 in Vietnam, shows that interest in choosing a smartwatch focuses on three main groups of features.

First, it offers health tracking capabilities with metrics such as heart rate, SpO2, sleep quality, and stress levels. Next, it provides support for in-depth training, especially in activities like running, cycling, and swimming, with highly-rated features such as accurate GPS, step counting, calorie expenditure measurement, and recovery tracking. Finally, it offers everyday conveniences like making and receiving calls, notifications, music control, phone connectivity, and electronic payments.

Notably, Apple remains the leading brand thanks to its stable ecosystem, premium design, and seamless synchronization capabilities. Samsung continues to thrive in the mid-range segment, with a range of products featuring beautiful interfaces, comprehensive features, and wide compatibility. Meanwhile, Huawei focuses on its strengths in battery life, elegant design, and health features.

From a country of origin perspective, brands from China such as Xiaomi, Amazfit, Realme, etc., dominate the market with products that are extremely competitively priced, come in many designs, and are easily accessible to the general public and niche markets.

According to experts, the smartwatch market is entering a new phase, with a clear shift in consumer behavior: consumers are no longer choosing products based solely on price, but are instead interested in usability, quality, features, and stability. This means brands must also create technological differentiation instead of just competing on sales volume.

Strong growth forecast

IDC reported that total wearable device shipments in Q1 2025 reached 45.6 million units – a 10.5% increase year-on-year; of which, smartwatch sales accounted for approximately 34.8 million units.

In Vietnam, according to reports, the smartwatch market size is projected to reach approximately $212-290 million in 2024. The forecast indicates double-digit annual growth for this market by 2030, driven by the increasing demand for health and fitness tracking among urban youth.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thi-truong-smartwatch-vao-cuoc-dua-moi-196250902204908391.htm