Apple accounted for nearly half of all TWS headphone sales in 2019, according to the report. Total AirPods sold are expected to rise to 82 million units this year. However, the company’s undisputed leadership in this market is undermining the emergence of countless competing solutions from Chinese brands, with the result that its share is predicted to decline to 35%. The second place will be taken by Xiaomi with a 10% share, and Samsung will take the third position with a 6% share.

The Chinese, unsurprisingly, take the price. For example, Lypertek Tevi headphones for $ 90 are able to compete on equal terms with basic AirPods, and 1More True Wireless ANC for $ 180 is able to “compete” with AirPods Pro, whose price is $ 250. By the way, Samsung Galaxy Buds Live also boasts active noise cancellation, but their cost does not exceed $ 170.

Competition between Samsung and Apple in the wireless headphone market is expected to intensify by the end of the year. Samsung’s TWS headsets are forecast to more than double this year, from 8 million units to 17 million units. At the same time, the number of AirPods sold is expected to rise from 61 million to 82 million units.

According to rumors, Apple is currently working on third-generation AirPods, which will use a more compact integrated system-in-case (SiP). These headphones are expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2021.