True wireless earbuds: An ongoing evolution

Surging consumer demand for style, high fidelity, and introduction of advanced features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), MySound & MyFit has propelled the growth of the TWS segment in India.

Earphones, which were primarily used for just listening to music, today host various features including 3D surround sound technology, heart rate monitoring, wireless charging, etc. (YouTube)

The true-wireless segment is growing at a phenomenal pace. Last year, the true-wireless segment grew by more than 7x, as per a Counterpoint report. From being a mere accessory to smartphones, earphones have come a long way and helped us adapt to the ‘new normal'. 

Today, gadgets have become an integral part of our personal as well as professional lives. From work to education, online classes, working out or even binging on our favourite series, true-wireless earbuds have become the new must-have for many in this “new normal' life. 

Surging consumer demand for style, high fidelity, and introduction of advanced features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), MySound & MyFit has propelled the growth of this segment in India - almost four million devices were shipped during the third quarter alone.

Recent developments

2020 saw the true wireless category catering to almost all customer segments, with a range of options available at every price point. Earphones, which were primarily used for just listening to music, today host various features including 3D surround sound technology, heart rate monitoring, wireless charging, etc. With technological advancements improving battery life, enabling multi-point connectivity, advanced ANC, and all of this in a small compact box, we now see a whole new world of possibilities.

Over time Indian consumers have evolved and are increasingly demanding latest innovations and cutting-edge features. They are even willing to pay a premium to get the utmost quality. Thus, the premium headphone brands continue to lead the space with pioneering features, using advanced technology.

To sum up

True wireless has completely redefined the way consumers use headphones. From carrying the device on-the-go, to multitasking, wireless charging, the list goes on. The increasing usage of TWS for professional use or entertainment is driving the growth of the segment. As per Counterpoint research, the true wireless market is expected to grow at 80% CAGR from 2019 to 2022, with more innovation and improvisation within the products.

In the coming years, we are likely to witness more technological advancements. The growing demand for voice control and assistance on-the-go will lead to rapid development of this segment. Headphones will continue to be more entrenched in everybody's daily life. 

Additionally, immersive audio is poised to be the future of the audio industry in the coming years. It will be interesting to see how technology in the audio space will impact the Indian lives. Meanwhile, we will continue to innovate and offer solutions that deliver the best sound experience.

This article has been written by Dr. Amitesh Punhani, Country Marketing Manager, India & SAARC, Jabra