Canalys: Smart personal audio device shipments up 61% in APAC in Q1 2020, thanks to smartphone vendors

According to the latest Canalys estimates, shipments of smart personal audio devices in Asia Pacific, not including Greater China, grew 61% year on year to reach 16.0 million units in Q1 2020. Accounting for 21.1% of global shipments, Asia Pacific overtook Europe to become the third largest sub-region, after North America and Greater China. Asia Pacific is unique due to its dynamic market landscape, with each country presenting vendors with different opportunities. South Korea, India and Japan are the top three markets in Asia Pacific, and all three ranked in the top five globally in terms of shipment numbers in Q1 2020.

South Korea, the largest smart personal audio market in Asia Pacific, also leads in terms of TWS shipments. “In Q1 2020, 74% of smart personal audio devices shipped in South Korea were TWS earbuds, which translates to a total of 3.2 million units,” said Canalys Research Analyst Cynthia Chen. “TWS earbuds from Samsung and Apple, which focus on ease of use and sound quality, appeal to the needs of premium smartphone users in the country. The release of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Buds+ in Q1 helped propel Samsung to the top in South Korea.”

India, currently one of the hottest battlefields for smartphone vendors, saw players start shifting to TWS as the category share hit 20%. “Accounting for more than half the market, wireless earphones are the most popular category in India, with all the top five players, including smartphone vendors Samsung, Realme and Xiaomi, shipping more wireless earphones than any other category in Q1,” said Canalys Analyst Madhumita Chaudhary. “Wireless earphones resonate better with local consumers as they are typically cheaper and are generally more reliable than bargain TWS devices. But Canalys expects the TWS category will gain traction as consumers start to see the convenience of TWS earbuds, while smartphone vendors continue to put emphasis on the category, especially brands such as Realme and Xiaomi, focusing on improving the availability and accessibility of TWS devices.”

Southeast Asian countries are quickly becoming prime targets for smartphone vendors as TWS growth outpaced other categories in the first quarter of 2020. “Apple holds a leading position in Singapore and Thailand, the two largest TWS markets in Southeast Asia,” said Canalys Analyst Matthew Xie. “Three key vendors, Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi, dominate in the top Southeast Asian markets, with each offering products in distinct price bands, from entry-level to high-end.”

In 2020, Canalys forecasts 23.6% growth in shipments in Asia Pacific, with TWS the main driver, resulting in the category accounting for 44% of the 76 million smart personal audio devices shipping in the region.

For more information, please contact:

Canalys China
Cynthia Chen: cynthia_chen@canalys.com +86 158 2151 8439
Jason Low: jason_low@canalys.com +86 159 2128 2971

Canalys India
Rushabh Doshi: rushabh_doshi@canalys.com +91 99728 54174
Madhumita Chaudhary: madhumita_chaudhary@canalys.com +91 77740 51094 

Canalys Singapore
Matthew Xie: matthew_xie@canalys.com +65 8319 8343
Shengtao Jin: shengtao_jin@canalys.com +65 6657 9303

Canalys UK
Ben Stanton: ben_stanton@canalys.com +44 7824 114 350
Kelly Wheeler: kelly_wheeler@canalys.com +44 7919 563 270

Canalys USA
Marcy Ryan: marcy_ryan@canalys.com +1 650 862 4299
Vincent Thielke: vincent_thielke@canalys.com +1 650 644 9970 

About Canalys

Canalys is an independent analyst company that strives to guide clients on the future of the technology industry and to think beyond the business models of the past. We deliver smart market insights to IT, channel and service provider professionals around the world. We stake our reputation on the quality of our data, our innovative use of technology and our high level of customer service.

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