Wireless earphone boom, worldwide deliveries at + 86%

The world market of "smart" audio knows no crisis. Between earphones and wireless headphones, speakers and smart screens, the first quarter ended with global deliveries growing to 96.2 million units.

The analysts of Canalys report it. The smart speaker market, with and without screen, recorded its first drop (-1.9% to 20.3 million units), but the deliveries of earphones and headphones increased by 19.4% to 75.9 millions. Wireless headsets like AirPods and the like are the driving force, with + 86% at 43.8 million units. Follow the other types of wireless earphones with 20 million (-15%) and wireless headphones with 12.1 million pieces (-26%). Also in the January-March period, deliveries of smart speakers recorded a drop of 16% to 14.6 million units. Smart displays are growing, with a 68% increase to 5.8 million.

Looking at the wireless earbuds, Apple leads the way with 18.1 million pieces delivered, representing a 60% growth. Samsung follows with 4.5 million (+ 30%) and the newcomer Redmi 3.1 million. Out of the podium Qcy at 2.5 million (+ 172%) and Huawei, which reports the biggest increase: + 261% at 2 million units.