High ASPs drive wearable demand down in MEA but Samsung wins in Q2

General

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Demand for wearable products has declined in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) market in Q2 2020 but Samsung has had a healthy quarter in the region and ranked second after Apple. In Q2, shipments of wearable devices in the MEA declined 2.7% year-on-year to a total of 2 million, down 1 million units from the first quarter of the year. However, Samsung placed second with 33% market share and 25.2% value share.

According to IDC, Samsung recorded a significant year-on-year increase in shipments throughout the April-June period. The Galaxy Buds+ were reportedly very successful as Samsung managed to ship roughly 98,000 units in the region in the second quarter of the year. Although wrist devices remain the driving force behind the wearable market in the MEA region – accounting for 46.6% of all wearable shipments in Q2 – the smart earware category was a close second with 33.3% market share.

In fact, IDC expects earwear shipments to increase in the coming quarters. The increase in demand is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, or specifically the fact that more people are learning and working from home. The market research firm states that consumers are driving the high demand as they're using smart earbuds not only for entertainment but also to increase their productivity.

Samsung introduced the new Galaxy Buds Live and the Galaxy Watch 3 at Galaxy Unpacked last month but IDC data shows that the high average selling price of high-end solutions was the cause of fall in demand in Q2. Nevertheless, customers who may not be inclined to pay the full launch price for the latest Galaxy wearables might be able to take advantage of new discounts on older models including the Galaxy Buds+ and the Galaxy Watch Active 2. All in all, the company should have the necessary tools and resources to maintain its momentum as demand for wearables increases in the MEA.

Mihai Matei - Senior Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: SGH-A800

Mihai is a blogger and column writer at SamMobile. His first Samsung phone was an A800 which took a lot of beating, and a part of him still misses the novelty of the clamshell design. In his free time, he enjoys watching shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy; listening to music, taking walks, and occasionally playing old(er) video games.

Via General Phone Watch Galaxy Buds Galaxy Buds Plus Galaxy Watch Active Galaxy Watch Active 2

High ASPs drive wearable demand down in MEA but Samsung wins in Q2

Mihai Matei - Senior Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: SGH-A800

You might also like

Galaxy Buds to lose this amazing customization feature with One UI 8?

One UI 8 brings deeper Galaxy Buds integration

Samsung considers adding cameras to Galaxy Buds

Four new types of devices I want Samsung to make