International Data Corporation (IDC) has unveiled its “China Wireless Headset Market Monthly Tracking Report,” stating that wireless earphone shipments have hit 55.4 million units in the first six months of this year. This marks a 20.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
Growing Popularity of TWS and Open-Back Headphones
Out of the 55.4 million units, 35.08 million were TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earphones, reflecting a 5.6% year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, the open-back headphone segment has seen a remarkable surge, with 11.84 million units shipped in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year rise of 303.6%.
Although the growth of TWS earphones has decelerated in the first half of this year, the competition within this market remains intense. Leading brands are focusing on entry-level products, and the market is buzzing with new technologies offered at competitive prices, resulting in enhancements like extended battery life, better noise reduction, and superior audio quality.
TWS earphones priced under 200 Yuan (~$28) now constitute 65% of the market, an 11% increase from the same timeframe last year.
Bone Conduction and Neckband Earphones
Despite facing technical challenges and catering to a niche market, bone conduction earphones have reached a relatively stable phase of development, showing a 34% year-on-year increase in shipments for the first half of this year.
Conversely, neckband earphones have witnessed a 24.1% decline in shipments year-on-year in the first half of 2024. This downward trend is expected to persist as TWS headphones gain more traction. Moreover, leading manufacturers have reportedly scaled back their investments in this product category.
Future Market Predictions
IDC forecasts that the total market shipments of Bluetooth headsets will continue to experience slow growth in the coming years. TWS earphones are expected to sustain their popularity, and the growth rate of open-back headsets is likely to stabilize after 2024.
