The Wear OS smartwatch ecosystem appears to be facing renewed headwinds as yet another manufacturer seems to be pulling back from the platform. Recent reports indicate that Mobvoi, a long-time player known for its TicWatch series, is significantly reducing its presence in the Wear OS market, raising concerns about the platform's long-term viability and diversity.
Signs of Mobvoi's retreat are becoming increasingly apparent. TicWatch models have largely disappeared from major online retailers like Amazon, with listings marked as "currently unavailable". The company's own website has also undergone changes, downplaying its smartwatch offerings in favor of other products like treadmills and AI recorders. While some TicWatch models remain visible on the site, they are listed as "not available at the moment," effectively blocking any purchase attempts.
When questioned about the situation, Mobvoi offered a vague response, stating that they have "no new information to announce about the TicWatch lineup" but assuring that existing devices will continue to receive "essential support". This ambiguous statement has fueled speculation that the company is indeed scaling back its Wear OS efforts, even if it's not an outright exit.
This potential departure follows similar moves by other manufacturers in recent years. Fossil, a fashion-focused brand that produced Wear OS smartwatches for several years, exited the market in early 2024. Tag Heuer, while still offering smartwatches, has pivoted to its own custom OS to improve iOS compatibility. These departures leave Google's Pixel series, Samsung's Galaxy Watch lineup, OnePlus, and, in some regions, Xiaomi and Oppo as the primary remaining players in the Wear OS space.
Mobvoi's potential exit is particularly concerning because the company has historically been a value leader, offering feature-rich smartwatches at competitive prices. The absence of such a player could impact consumer perception and potentially deter third-party developers from investing in the platform.
One of the persistent challenges facing Wear OS has been the slow pace of software updates. Mobvoi, in particular, has been criticized for lagging behind in providing timely updates to its devices. For example, it took nearly a year for Wear OS 3 to arrive on TicWatch devices, and the company has been largely silent about Wear OS 5 and Wear OS 6. This sluggish update cycle can leave users vulnerable to security risks and missing out on new features and improvements.
Despite these challenges, the Wear OS platform has seen some positive developments. Counterpoint Research had estimated that Wear OS market share (outside China) would reach 27% in 2024. Samsung's Galaxy Watch series has been a key driver of Wear OS adoption, and other Android phone makers like OnePlus, Oppo, and Xiaomi are also contributing to the platform's growth. Furthermore, Google continues to develop and release new versions of Wear OS, with a focus on improving performance, battery life, and user experience. The global smartwatch market experienced its first decline in Q4 2024, although Wear OS brands still saw growth.
The situation with Mobvoi highlights the ongoing challenges and competitive pressures in the smartwatch market. While Wear OS has made strides in recent years, it still faces competition from Apple's watchOS and other platforms. The departure of manufacturers like Fossil and potentially Mobvoi underscores the need for Google to continue investing in Wear OS and fostering a vibrant ecosystem that attracts both manufacturers and developers. The future of Wear OS may hinge on Google's ability to address these challenges and ensure that the platform remains a compelling choice for both consumers and manufacturers.
