Wireless power usage surges in Q1 2017

Market news | April 27, 2017

By Rich Pell

With Samsung maintaining the technology on their flagship handset, rumours of Apple joining the party, and the proposed first wireless charging enabled laptop from Witricity and Dell, global receiver shipments are projected to reach 325 million units by the end of the year. This follows a 40% growth in 2016 (see chart above).

Mobile phones remain the primary driver for development of wireless power technology and low-frequency inductive solutions in this market will account for the most receiver units shipped from 2016 to 2020, says Vicky Yussuff, Wireless Power Analyst at IHS Markit

Mobile phones have also continued to be the entry point for consumer experience and demand for wireless power. Over one-third (35%) of consumers in the US said they have now used wireless charging, up from 25% (both globally and in the US) in the 2016 survey.

Transmitters designed for public infrastructure, such as those in the restaurant and hospitality sector, are also expected to see a boost in shipments in the next 10 years. As new wireless-enabled products in the mobile phone and laptop market emerge, demand for additional charging opportunities when consumers are out of the home/car environment will rise.

The consumer survey already shows that ‘power grazing’ has become a popular way for consumers to use wireless charging technology. 63% of wireless charging users say they have done so in a public place, and of those respondents a further 72% say they have specifically chosen to visit a particular restaurant or coffee shop because it offered wireless charging.

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Aside from mobile phones, the laptop market is expected to see growth in coming years. The survey results highlighted that 75% of consumers would like to see wireless charging technology adopted specifically into laptops, higher than any other product type.

Similarly the smart watch category is expected to ship almost 30 million receiver units in 2017 alone, but the potential for wireless charging in more niche applications is huge says Yussuff. With the launch of further products using inductive technology and development in resonant and uncoupled technologies, strong growth is expected for the industry as a whole.

The IHS Markit 2017 Wireless Power Tracker is at technology.ihs.com/584705/wireless-power-market-tracker