The annual wireless earphone market nearly tripled in 2019 from a year earlier, a report showed.
According to a report by Counterpoint Research on the 11th, the annual wireless phone market totaled 130 million units last year. While sales reached $17 billion.
In the fourth quarter of 2019 alone sales of wireless earphone reaches 51 million units or $6.6 billion. The growth rate is 53 percent compared to the previous quarter.
U.S. Market and Apple still lead the wireless earphone sales and market in 2019
The U.S. has led the growth of the wireless phone market. The U.S. market grew well over 70 percent on-quarter. Accounting for 35 percent of the total global market. Analysts say Apple’s new product release has helped boost demand. As well as its peak season effects such as Black Friday, Christmas and year-end promotions.
By company, Apple remained at the top of the list. With a 47 percent share in terms of sales volume and 62 percent in terms of amount last year. Looking at the fourth quarter of last year, overall sales rose 44 percent on-quarter.
This is the result of the launch of the AirPod program in late October. However, its market share in the fourth quarter edged down to 41% (based on quantity) from the previous quarter. Because of the high growth rate of the global overall wireless handset market. Based on the amount, the figure is 62 percent.
Xiaomi retained its No. 2 spot on the back of robust sales growth of RedMi Air Dot, followed by Samsung Electronics. However, based on an annual basis in 2019, Xiaomi and Samsung sold 8 million units each.
In terms of products priced at $100 or more, Apple was the dominant player. While Samsung Electronics took the second place with a 9 percent share. The combined market share of Apple, Samsung Electronics and JBL, which are “top three,” reached the mid-80 percent range, the report showed.
On the other hand, Chinese companies, including Xiaomi, found to be mainly involved in markets where prices are below $100.
Samsung Electronics is planning to introduce Galaxy Buzz Plus, an upgraded model of Galaxy Buzz, at the Galaxy Unpack 2020 in San Francisco on the 11th (U.S. time).
LG is reportedly also joining the wireless earphone market in 2020, after introducing its first model in 2019.