Are Smartwatches Dead? Evaluating Their Future Outlook

Some critics have argued that smartwatches are a dying technology category due to issues like underpowered hardware, short battery life, and limited usefulness. But the overall outlook for smartwatches suggests they are far from dead, though continued evolution is needed.

The Case Against Smartwatches

It’s understandable why some people think smartwatches may be short-lived devices:

• Immature platforms – Operating systems like watchOS and Wear OS still feel underdeveloped compared to iOS or Android. App ecosystems are more limited.
• Old battery tech – Most smartwatches use dated lithium-ion batteries with 1-2 day lifespans before needing a recharge.
• Minimal essential value – Beyond notifications, smartwatches provide supplemental convenience more than must-have functionality for most consumers.
• Lack of killer app – There isn’t a single smartwatch app yet that seems indispensable and drives mass adoption.
• Durability issues – Smartwatches can scratch or break with normal wear, requiring replacement yearly or every other year.

Signs That Smartwatches Are Here to Stay

However, the following trends indicate smartwatches have promising staying power:

• Continued revenue growth – Global smartwatch sales increased 24% year-over-year in Q1 2022, reaching $13 billion in revenue.
• New health monitoring – Advances in sensors and data tracking for oxygen saturation, ECG, sleep patterns, and more make smartwatches increasingly useful health tools.
• Improving hardware – Newer processors, displays, and materials incrementally improve speed, clarity, and durability.
• Increasingly sophisticated Wear OS – The unified Wear OS 3 platform promises tighter integration between hardware and software.
• Enterprise adoption rising – Companies are exploring smartwatch applications for workforce management, access control, field services, and more.

The Future Outlook

Smartwatches still have room for improvement, but have progressed enough and shown sufficient consumer interest to warrant continued investment by tech companies. Advancements in the next 2-5 years that could solidify smartwatches as must-have devices include:

• New battery technologies like solid-state lithium-ion to improve charge lifespan.
• More predictive and proactive AI-driven software capabilities.
• Expansion of app ecosystems across health, finance, communication, and entertainment.
• New form factors like flexible displays for greater comfort and portability.
• Enterprise-specific industrial applications and specialty smartwatch models.
• Advances in microelectronics to pack more sensors and features into less space.

Conclusion

Too many people find smartwatches useful and convenient to declare them a passing fad. Like most new device categories, they are evolving gradually over generations. But improving hardware, expanded apps, and sticky complementarity with smartphones suggest smartwatches are on the path to becoming a standard accessory for digital lifestyles.