Aftermarket Mobile Accessory Revenues to Reach $62 Billion by 2017 as Market Value Moves to Smart Accessories

​Driven by the continued growth of smartphones, the market for mobile device accessories will grow at a 10.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2012 through 2017, resulting in annual revenues of $62 billion in 2017. According to the latest analysis from market intelligence firm ABI Research, revenues for non-smartphone accessories will decline at a 4% CAGR over the same period as fewer feature phones are sold.

“Because smartphones tend to generate greater accessory revenues per device, it is believed that smartphones will drive 80% of the aftermarket revenues in 2017,” says mobile devices senior analyst Michael Morgan. Among the thirteen accessory product segments tracked by ABI Research, protective cases and stereo wired headsets are predicted to show the highest growth rates of 18.2% and 15.6% respectively. ABI Research notes that mono wired headsets will show a decline in shipments of 1.3% as consumers increasingly seek accessories that will maximize the media consumption capabilities of their handsets.

Accessories are increasingly becoming personalized to the user’s performance, style and preferences, which augments the mobile device experience. “The design of smarter accessories to enhance the consumption of key smartphone features will enable mobile device accessory OEMs to remain competitive in this market,” adds senior practice director Jeff Orr. ABI Research expects this push for smarter accessories to not only drive improved design but further maintain or grow average selling prices across the category.

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Mobile Device Accessories Research Service, which includes Research Reports, Market Data, Insights, and Competitive Assessments. The large volume opportunity for aftermarket accessories includes tracking and analysis of memory cards, protective cases, decorative elements, Bluetooth headsets, cradles, chargers, scratch protectors, batteries, wired and so-called smart accessories.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com , or call +1.516.624.2500 .