Beyond the Smartphone: Accessory Markets Set to Outpace Phones

Smartphones remain the dominant force in the consumer device landscape, with more than 1.2 billion units projected to ship in 2025. However, the era of explosive growth is behind us. In most mature markets, smartphone penetration has reached saturation, meaning virtually everyone who wants or needs a smartphone already owns one.

As a result, growth is now driven primarily by replacement cycles, consumers upgrading existing devices, rather than by new buyers entering the market. This shift marks a significant transition: instead of chasing first-time adopters, the industry is increasingly reliant on innovation, differentiation, and brand loyalty to drive sales.

Looking ahead, the global smartphone market is expected to plateau or even decline slightly over the next five years, with unit volumes stabilizing and competition intensifying.

Even as smartphone shipments level off, their influence continues to radiate through the broader tech ecosystem. A number of consumer device categories (though technically standalone) are tightly bound to the smartphone's functionality, form factor, and user experience.

Here are five key accessory categories that benefit directly from smartphone adoption and usage habits:

• Portable Power Banks

• True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earbuds*

• Wireless Charger Pads & Stands

• Portable Bluetooth Speakers

• Other Consumer Headphones

*TWS refers to a pair of true wireless earbuds.

These markets are expected to collectively exceed 1.5 billion units shipped in 2025, with TWS earbuds and power banks leading in volume. Notably, wireless charger pads and stands are projected to grow the fastest over the next five years, driven by wider adoption of wireless charging in smartphones.

Smartphones may no longer be a growth engine on their own, but their accessories certainly are. Several factors help explain this continued momentum:

• Frequent Replacement: Accessories, especially earbuds and chargers, are more prone to wear, loss, or tech obsolescence.

• Lifestyle Integration: As smartphones become essential to daily life, users seek more seamless, mobile, and immersive experiences.

• Lower Price Sensitivity: Compared to phones, accessories represent smaller, more frequent purchases, making them accessible upgrades.

• Emerging Market Demand: In regions where smartphones are still penetrating, accessories often follow close behind.

You can read more about the TWS market here: