Wearables are one of the fastest growing categories of business for Apple. Bloomberg
Wearables are one of the fastest growing categories of business for Apple. Bloomberg
Wearables are one of the fastest growing categories of business for Apple. Bloomberg
Wearables are one of the fastest growing categories of business for Apple. Bloomberg

Technology

Apple sells 60 million AirPods in 2019

The Cupertino-based company was followed by Xiaomi, which sold only 9.1 million units

Alkesh Sharma
Alkesh Sharma

January 16, 2020

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Apple shipped nearly 60 million AirPods last year, securing more than 50 per cent of the totally wireless (TWS) headset market worldwide, according to a new report by market researcher Strategy Analytics.

TWS headsets are bluetooth stereo headsets that do not have a wire connecting the two earpieces.

“Apple’s AirPods are the dominant bluetooth headset in terms of sales volumes and revenues in the TWS segment,” the report said. “Even as other vendors enter the market, Apple will remain the dominant player in the category through the middle of the next decade.”

The TWS headset category was created by the Cupertino-based company, which introduced the first AirPods in 2016. Apple shipped almost 25 million more AirPods last year than in 2018.

Apple is followed by China-based Xiaomi and South Korea’s Samsung, which had an 8.5 per cent and a 6.9 per cent market share, respectively, according to Boston-headquartered researcher’s data.

Xiaomi sold 9.1 million units, whereas Samsung shipped only 7.4 million pairs of its Galaxy Buds in the last 12 months.

Last year, Apple introduced the AirPod Pro, a premium version of the wireless earbuds with noise cancellation and other features. They were well accepted by users globally.

“It is unlikely that any single vendor will replace Apple at the top in terms of volume or revenue in TWS bluetooth headphones in the foreseeable future,” said the report.

Strategy Analytics found that global revenues of TWS market grew by almost 200 per cent yearly in 2019, with Apple pocketing 71 per cent of the revenue. However, it did not reveal the exact value but predicted that “wholesale revenues will grow past $100 billion (Dh367bn) by 2024”.

The report also noted that the TWS Bluetooth headphones market is extremely competitive, which has in turn pressured prices.

“In the last six months, chipset prices have halved, opening the door for tens, if not hundreds, of new vendors offering inexpensive TWS bluetooth headphones,” Strategy Analytics said.

For Apple, wearables are one of the fastest growing categories of business.

For the first time in the last quarter of 2019 (ended September 28), wearables business overtook iPad sales and became the fourth-largest contributor to the overall revenues after iPhones, services and Mac businesses. It contributed $6.52bn, more than 10 per cent of the overall revenues.

On Women's Day
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
  • Parasite – 4
  • 1917– 3
  • Ford v Ferrari – 2
  • Joker – 2
  • Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
  • American Factory – 1
  • Bombshell – 1
  • Hair Love – 1
  • Jojo Rabbit – 1
  • Judy – 1
  • Little Women – 1
  • Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
  • Marriage Story – 1
  • Rocketman – 1
  • The Neighbors' Window – 1
  • Toy Story 4 – 1
Fresh faces in UAE side

Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.

Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.

Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.

Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.

Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.

Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly

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While you're here
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While you're here

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

Tomorrow 2021
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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