Apple maintained a strong lead in the true wireless headphones market in 2020, with its popular AirPods making up over a quarter of all shipments, based on a new report.
According to Counterpoint Research, Apple products comprised 29% of true wireless stereo (TWS) shipments in Q3 2020, while its Apple Watch made up 28% of all smartwatch shipments. With respect to the wearables market – divided into five segments, of which earwear and wristwear comprise the majority of devices – Apple consistently outperformed the competition, despite its products typically costing more than rival offerings.
"Apple's powerful iOS ecosystem, typically comprised of consumers with larger disposable incomes, has been the main driver for growth – especially in terms of revenues," said senior Counterpoint analyst Sujeong Lim. "High-end stalwart Samsung has also performed consistently."
That said, budget offerings still showed big potential, with Xiaomi consolidating its number two spot in the rankings with a 13% market share, while half of the top 10 were budget brands with sub-$50 and even sub-$20 offerings.
Counterpoint Research expects the wireless headphones industry to grow 83% to 238 million units this year, thanks in part to the lack of a headphone jack on smartphones and the removal of earbuds from smartphone boxes – trends that Apple inaugurated.
"The trend around removing jacks and earphones from devices and boxes is becoming a big driver for TWS segment growth," said Counterpoint Research senior analyst Liz Lee. "It also helps that mobile media consumption continues to grow, making TWS the next must-have accessory."
Counterpoint believes that the global health crisis has contributed to increased consumer interest in health and fitness, which is likely to help the smartwatch market grow further. "We expect low double-digit growth through the medium term – possibly higher if average selling prices decline quickly," said Lim.
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.
In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker.
The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone:
The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...
Remember how many MacRumors forum members ridiculed ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-debuts-wireless-airpods-with-5-hours-of-music-playback.1992227/') AirPods when they were released? Good times.
It should be fairly obvious, but Apple dominating the market despite being the premium brand speaks volumes (no pun intended). Like the smartphone market, Apple is the one raking in the profit, leaving others to scramble for scraps.
And to think, AirPods were mocked back when they were first introduced. Kind of like that other wearable, Apple Watch.
It should be fairly obvious, but Apple dominating the market despite being the premium brand speaks volumes (no pun intended). Like the smartphone market, Apple is the one raking in the profit, leaving others to scramble for scraps.
And to think, AirPods were mocked back when they were first introduced. Kind of like that other wearable, Apple Watch.
Keep in mind that Apple centric tech blogs have become the domecile of the Apple hater crowd. The overwhelming majority of MacRumor’s comments sections tend negative on every story or report about the company. So it should be no surprise that the disconnect from the real world is so striking.
I wasn't on-board with wireless headphones before, but the 1st-gen AirPods changed my mind.
How easily the AirPods work between devices is the reason why I'd buy them again, it works flawlessly 99/100, and I can forgive that one odd case that maybe needs some intervention. Several friends have bought wireless headphones from Sony, Bose, etc, and they've all said that the audio switching is far less reliable, and the thing they miss the most.
Maybe worth noting, I also have a set of Bang and Olufsen H9i's, and they work really well between devices too.
Sometimes is maybe due to not having it. I was given an Apple Watch SE for Christmas, I didn’t know I needed this... I knew it was ok at the very beginnings but wasn’t too convinced for me, then heard many people state their own experiences then after being given one, well, its great and, as usual, it’s genius how well it integrates with everything else, unlocking your macs, unthetered podcast/music/fitness-tracking/applepay/etc. The UI/UX clearly has some insane thought to make it work in such a tiny screen.
Same with AirPods Pro and then the dreaded AirPods Max, once I got them can’t go back now.
I would like to let you know that we've gathered an intervention on your behalf, and that your family will welcome you back with no questions asked, if you'll please just leave this dodgy Apple group you've joined.
