Global smartphone CIS shipments in H1 2023 fell 14% YoY to 2 billion units on weak demand, inventory adjustment and reduction in the number of cameras per smartphone.
The average number of cameras per smartphone fell further to 3.8 units in H1 2023 from 3.9 units in H2 2022.
Sony was the only supplier to see YoY growth, which was driven by the iPhone 14 series’ strong performance.
We expect the market to see a sequential recovery in H2, but the recovery will be quite mild given the ongoing macro headwinds.
Global smartphone CIS shipments are expected to drop 10% YoY to 4.2 billion units in 2023.
Global smartphone CMOS image sensor (CIS) shipments in H1 2023 fell 14% YoY to 2 billion units due to weakened market demand, further reduction in the number of cameras per smartphone and channel inventory adjustment, according to the latest Counterpoint Smartphone Camera Tracker.
Commenting on the end market, Research AnalystAlicia Gong said, “The challenging macroeconomic environment, including persistent inflationary pressure, took a toll on consumer sentiment, resulting in lower-than-expected smartphone shipment volume. During H1 2023, the average number of cameras per smartphone also fell further to 3.8 units from 3.9 units in H2 2022. For rear cameras, the share of smartphones featuring dual- and triple-camera setups has been increasing at the expense of the quad and above setup. Android OEMs, especially Chinese, have been actively reducing the number of cameras to save cost or space. Meanwhile, the fusion of camera, processing units and algorithm is at the core of improvement in the overall camera performance and image quality.”
Dual- and Triple-Rear Camera Setups Volume Share Continues to Rise
Source: Counterpoint Smartphone Camera Tracker Note: CIS counts include ToF sensors
Looking from the supplier perspective, Associate DirectorEthan Qi said, “In H1 2023, Sony was the only supplier to see YoY growth in CIS shipments, thanks to the strong performance of Apple’s iPhones, which remained resilient during the market downturn. Samsung and OmniVision experienced YoY declines in varying degrees due to weakened sales and channel inventory adjustment in the Android space.”
Sony Only Supplier to See Volume Growth in H1 2023
Source: Counterpoint Smartphone Camera Tracker Note: CIS counts include ToF sensors
Though the end market remains weak, we expect smartphone OEMs to start restocking from Q3 to prepare for new model launches and alleviated inventory levels. However, due to the macro headwinds, the recovery will be quite mild compared to H1. Global smartphone CIS shipments are expected to drop 10% YoY in 2023 to 4.2 billion units.
The entry-level (<$50) segment continued to grow as TWS adoption rose across emerging markets.
Premium brands such as Apple, Samsung and Sony marked a slowdown due to a lack of new models.
For full year 2023, we forecast TWS sales to grow 2% in volume but decline 3% in value due to a mix shift towards low-cost TWS sales across emerging markets.
The global TWS market’s unit sales slipped only 2% YoY in H1 2023, according to the latest data from Counterpoint’s TWS Hearables Market Tracker, despite low demand for IT devices amid macroeconomic headwinds and consumer weakness. Surprisingly, the TWS market seemed somewhat immune to inflationary headwinds, especially the <$50 entry-level segment where sales increased 15% YoY in H1 2023. This mitigated the sales decline in higher-tier price segments as TWS demand polarized towards the entry and premium categories.
Some of these ups and downs within the price segments were driven by regional demand dynamics. In H1 2023, demand contracted in mature markets like North America and Europe where the TWS penetration has reached a mature level. In contrast, underpenetrated emerging markets like India, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America registered robust growth during the period. China, one of the world’s largest TWS markets, showed signs of recovery as the COVID-19-related lockdowns eased in the latter half of 2022. The uptick in H1 2023 was also driven by the 618 e-commerce festival and promotions in China. The period also witnessed the rise of low-cost TWS brands. Chinese entry-level brand ZhengQibing saw sales unit growth of 141% YoY in H1 2023 as it focused on the sub-$20 models with attractive features and CMF designs.
Global TWS Market Share by Price Band, H1 2023 vs H1 2022 (Retail Price-based)
In India, local TWS brands such as boAt, Boult Audio and Noise reported strong double-digit YoY growth in Q2 2023driven by a broader portfolio of entry-level models. boAt successfully leveraged online shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Flipkart Big Saving Days, and other online promotions to fulfill the demand for new affordable models. Boult Audio, with a keen focus on affordability, strategically launched a series of new models priced below $25, effectively drawing in customers. Noise‘s major model series, the Noise VS102 and VS404, were well received due to their affordable price, satisfactory sound quality, and long battery life. Additionally, they offered an up to 80% discount on their audio products during the Noise Anniversary Sales in 2023. The enhanced performance of models in the <$25 (retail price) segment also played a significant role in boosting sales.
Specifications of Major Entry-level TWS Models
Sources: Official Websites
Global TWS Market Growth by Price Band, H1 2023 vs H1 2022 (Retail Price-based)
Meanwhile, major global players such as Apple, Samsung and Sony saw market share declines and slower growth in the absence of new models. These premium-focused brands are bringing about incremental improvements in features compared to the low-cost models of challenger brands that are trying to innovate on design, audio features, latency, battery life, and more. Samsung also saw a noticeable decline in sales share on the high-tier price range with its aggressive pricing and promotions on the Galaxy Buds 2, due to a mix-shift in sales volumes centered around the $50-$100 price segment. Overall, the absence of new model releases and the lack of new features failed to drive replacement demand which resulted in a decrease in sales in the high- and premium-tier segments in H1 2023. The upcoming AirPods 2 with the new H2 chip and support for lossless audio, optimized for the upcoming Apple Vision Pro XR headset, could drive some uptick during the holiday season in Q4 2023.
Looking forward, the global TWS market’s sales volume is set to grow by 2% YoY in 2023, but revenue will decrease by 3% YoY. We expect the TWS market to keep growing till 2026 and the attach rate to new smartphone sales to reach 36% as the average lifespan of a TWS device before replacement reaches 1.5-1.8 years.
Sony’s WH-CH720N comes with an integrated V1 processor for effective noise cancellation.
Sony claims that the headphones offer up to 50-hour use on a single charge.
The headphones support multi-point connectivity.
Sony is widely known as an industry leader when it comes to offering active noise cancellation (ANC) on headphones. And while most OEMs are focusing on the TWS segment, Sony continues to focus on both TWS earbuds and over-the-ear headphones. Last year, we tested the Sony WH-1000XM5 (review), which are premium headphones priced at around $425. We were impressed with their ANC, ambient noise and sound quality.
This year, Sony released the more affordable WH-CH720N, which is available for around $125. In terms of positioning, it is beneath the flagship 1000X line and alongside the XB extra-bass series.
A key highlight of the WH-CH720N is that it is powered by the same integrated V1 processor for noise cancellation as on the XM5. The headphones also come with multipoint connectivity to seamlessly switch between two devices. We have been using the headphones for a little over two months now and below is our analysis.
WATCH: Sony WH-CH720N Unboxing and First Look
Lightweight design, good comfort
At just 192 gm, the WH-CH720N is Sony’s lightest wireless noise-canceling headphone set. The weight is well-balanced and you hardly feel it, even when using them for a long time. The headband is faux-leather and offers the right amount of padding needed to hold them comfortably.
The outer side of the earcups is made from plastic and has a matte finish. The inner side has faux leather padding which is soft and comfortable, and stays that way for hours of wearing them, even in hot and humid conditions.
The 720N does not fold inwards. Instead, the earcups swivel at a 110-120-degree angle to allow them to lie flat on the table. However, as they do not fold inwards, the headphones will take up more space inside your bag. Also, Sony doesn’t include a carrying case as a standard offering.
The WH-CH720N is lightweight and has a comfortable design for long listening hours.
Talking about buttons and ports, the left earcup has a physical 3.5 mm audio jack, a USB Type-C port for charging, and a power button. The right earcup has the play/pause and volume buttons and the noise cancellation/ambient noise button.
Just like other Sony devices, the 720N also focuses on sustainability and is made from recycled plastic. The packaging is plastic free and made from recycled paper.
The headphones pair with your smartphones and laptops over Bluetooth 5.2, and support SBC and AAC codecs. The 30 mm dynamic drivers support a frequency range of 7Hz–20,000Hz. Unlike the flagship headphones, the 720N lacks Google’s Fast Pair support. Though it is not a big deal, having Fast Pair would have been a nice addition.
The WH-CH720N supports the Sony Headphones Connect app which is available for both Android and iOS platforms. Sony’s app lets you control different aspects such as the 5-band equalizer and presets, multipoint connectivity, and configure button settings.
There is an ambient sound mode (transparency) that lets you adjust the strength up to 20 levels. It works well, helping you stay aware of the surroundings depending on your preferences. The feature can come in handy when you are traveling in a metro or on a flight where you want to listen to music but at the same time do not want to miss out on key announcements. We tried it both on a flight and in a metro and were impressed with how well the ambient mode feature worked.
The ambient sound mode lets in enough sound to stay aware of the surroundings while also listening to music.
Talking about noise cancellation, the integrated V1 processor works well in cutting out background noises such as fans and traffic noise to a good level. On a flight, even when sitting closer to the engine, the 720N was quite effective in cutting out the jet noise, while the music volume was at 60%. However, it does not completely cut off all the noise, and the moment you stop music playback, there is some sound intrusion.
The ANC works well in cutting off unwanted noise and offering a good music-listening experience.
Just like the 1000XM5, the CH720N also comes with adaptive sound control, a smart function that can automatically switch between ANC and transparency modes depending on your location. It uses the phone’s motion to detect when you are sitting, walking, running, or commuting. According to the situation, it activates the ANC or increases the transparency level so you can clearly hear your surroundings. Again, it worked well in our tests.
We tested the WH-CH720N’s sound quality using different audio sources, including primarily an Apple iPhone 14 Pro, a MacBook Pro 16 and a Galaxy Z Fold4. The sound quality was consistent across devices. With a balanced tuning, the headphones sound pleasant, though the bass is slightly punchy. The big drivers do help in offering a spacious sound to enjoy listening to different music genres. The wide sound staging also makes the headphones great for watching OTT content like TV shows and movies.
Lastly, there are two more things to talk about – mic and battery life. The beamforming mics are good enough for making and receiving phone calls, and even video calls on conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams. We made a few calls in noisy environments like airports and metro stations, and the recipients were able to hear us clearly.
In terms of battery life, Sony claims to offer up to 50 hours of non-stop listening with ANC off, and about 35 hours with ANC on. During our test, we kept ANC on all the time, with a volume between 50% and 70%, and would listen in parts for about four hours a day. With such usage, even after eight days, the headphones still had about 10% of battery left, totaling around 32 hours of usage. That is about one charge in a week, and if you turn off ANC, it may reach close to two weeks.
Key Takeaways and Wishlist for WH-CH720N Successor
The WH-CH720N is a value-for-money over-the-ear Bluetooth headphone set.
It has a well-built design and offers a comfortable fit.
Multipoint connectivity works flawlessly to switch between devices.
The WH-CH720N delivers a great battery life so you can go without charge for a week depending on your usage.
ANC and ambient sound modes work as expected.
The headphones offer good sound quality in their segment.
A wear detection feature could have been a great addition to pause/resume music playback.
On the design front, an inward folding one could have been even better, considering most of us also carry them while traveling.
Premium features like Hi-Res audio could be a good addition to the CH720N’s successor.
Qualcomm takes the top spot in terms of cost contribution, accounting for over 34% of the model’s BoM cost.
Qualcomm and Samsung combined contribute more than 65% of the component cost in the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Featuring Qualcomm’s custom Snapdragon chipset, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra makes a considerable leap in computing performance with its shift to TSMC’s 4nm process node.
Producing an 8GB+256GB Galaxy S23 Ultra (Sub-6GHz) variant costs Samsung around $469, according to the latest bill of materials (BoM) analysis by Counterpoint’s component research service. The major components driving cost in the smartphone are the SoC, display and camera subsystem. Due to excess inventory and supply, components related to the RF sub-system and memory were subjected to a cost decrease.
Qualcomm and Samsung’s design wins
The S23 Ultra further builds upon Qualcomm’s design, showcasing a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, manufactured on TSMC’s 4nm process node. Samsung has chosen Qualcomm chipsets due to enhanced cellular support, increased performance gain from both the CPU and GPU, and better battery life. The GPU also has support for raytracing and has gained a slight uplift of 39MHz clock speed.
Qualcomm’s share in the S23 Ultra has increased to an all-time high after attaining design wins for the fingerprint sensor IC, key power management ICs, audio codec, RF power amplifiers, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, GPS and Sub-6GHz transceiver.
Samsung is the second largest beneficiary. It is an exclusive supplier of the 256GB NAND flash and the 6.8-inch AMOLED display for the S23 Ultra. The display can sustain 1750 nits of peak brightness and has a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels that allows the users to view pictures and videos in sharp detail. The 120Hz LTPO panel also supports adaptive refresh rate.
In the camera sub-system, the design wins are shared between Samsung (SEMCO) and Sony. Samsung provides the 200MP wide-angle camera (S5KHP2) and the 12MP selfie camera (S5K3LU), while Sony offers the 12MP Ultrawide (IMX564), 10MP Telephoto and Periscope Telephoto (IMX754) sensors.
Other component suppliers
Silicon Mitus and Maxim are the providers of power management ICs that support the regulation of power for display and other key components.
For sensing components, STM has registered design wins related to the laser autofocus module, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and touch panel controller. The battery is packaged by Samsung and the cell is provided by ATL. The quick charging IC, which charges up to 45W, is sourced from NXP while the 15W wireless charging IC is from Convenient Power.
Samsung’s sourcing strategy and choice of components are enabling the brand to have a competitive edge in terms of cost efficiency.
For detailed component and pricing analyses, queries, or for acquiring this research, contact info@counterpointresearch.com
Indian brands showed the fastest YoY growth in 2022 and had a share of 24% in smart TV shipments.
Smart TV contribution to overall TV shipments was over 90%, the highest ever.
The average selling price (ASP) dropped by 8% YoY in 2022.
Online channels contributed 33% of the overall shipments during the year.
MediaTek chips captured around three-fifths of the total TV market.
Non-smart TV shipments declined 24% YoY.
New Delhi, Boston, Toronto, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Taipei, Seoul – April 04, 2023
India’s smart TV shipments grew 28% YoY in 2022, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s IoT Service. The growth for the year was primarily driven by strong shipments during the festive season in the third quarter, multiple new launches, discounts and promotions, and the demand for bigger screen-size TVs in the lower price tier. For Q4 2022, the growth was almost flat at 2% YoY due to a slowdown in demand after the festive season.
Commenting on the market trends, Research Analyst Akash Jatwala said, “Consumers are preferring bigger screen sizes, especially 43”, due to which the smart TV shipments in this display size grew 29% YoY in 2022. This size has also started trickling down to the budget price range (INR 20,000-INR 30,000 or ~$243-$364). Dolby integration is another most sought-after feature and is available in lower-price TVs too. Dolby Audio support in the INR 10,000-INR 20,000 (~$121-$243) price band increased 37% YoY and was available in about 41% of the smart TVs shipped in 2022. On the operating system side, Google TV grew multifold and was available in 4% of the smart TVs shipped during the year. Many brands are launching TVs with Google TV in the mid-segment (INR 30,000 – INR 50,000). In terms of country of origin, Indian brands showed the fastest growth and had a share of 24% in smart TV shipments during the year, whereas global and Chinese brands had 40% and 36% shares respectively.”
Looking at the market growth, Senior Research Analyst Anshika Jain said, “OnePlus, Vu, and TCL were among the fastest-growing brands in the smart TV segment in 2022. Xiaomi led the overall smart TV market with an 11% share, followed by Samsung and LG. Smart TV shipments in the INR 20,000-INR 30,000 price band grew 40% YoY to reach a 29% share. The average selling price (ASP) declined 8% YoY to around INR 30,650.”
Jain added, “Smart TV contribution to overall shipments reached its highest ever of 90% during the year. It is expected to go up further due to more launches in the sub-INR 20,000 price range and non-smart-TV-to-smart-TV migration. Non-smart TV shipments declined 24% YoY in 2022. Online channels increased their contribution to the total shipments to 33% during the year.”
Source: India Smart TV Shipments Model Tracker, Q4 2022
Notes: Xiaomi’s share includes Redmi’s share
Market summary for 2022
Xiaomi continued to lead India’s smart TV market in 2022 with an 11% share. The Mi TV 5A series and Redmi Smart TV series, especially the 32” model, were among the volume drivers for the brand. Xiaomi has updated its PatchWall with some new features and enhancements, such as content search across multiple OTT platforms, Live TV with more channels, and better recommendation with IMDB integration.
Samsung took the second spot. In 2022, Samsung launched new models in its T4000 series in 32” and 43” sizes. Apart from this, it also launched new QLED models in the >INR 50,000 price range. During the year, Samsung had promotional events like Big TV Days and Big TV Festival where it offered discounts and smartphones with selected models, with EMIs starting at a lower cost.
LG took the third spot in the smart TV market in 2022. During the year, LG launched new models in the 32” segment, its volume driver. Besides, it also launched premium QNED TVs in India. During the sales events, LG offered no-cost EMIs on selected models, one-year complimentary product insurance, and cashback.
OnePlus was one of the fastest-growing brands in 2022, growing 80% YoY and ranking fourth. OnePlus captured the second position in the <INR 30,000 price segment. The Y1 and Y1S were among its bestsellers. During the year, OnePlus launched the Y1S Pro series which saw a great response.
TCL ranked fifth during the year and was among the fastest-growing brands in 2022. During the year, TCL launched many new models, including QLED TVs, across different price segments. Some of the prominent series were the C635, P635 and P735.
Sony was among the preferred brands in the premium segment. During the year, Sony launched new budget models W820K and W830K. The brand also launched new versions of its OLED series. Most of the launches during the year came with Google TV. Sony ranked third in the premium segment (>INR 50,000).
96% of the market is being driven by LED TVs, while many brands such as TCL, VU, Sansui, Hisense, Thomson, Blaupunkt and Kodak have started launching newer QLED TV models in the >INR 30,000 price range and >50” screen size.
More than 99% of the TVs are assembled locally, with some high-end TVs being imported.
MediaTek chips had around a three-fifths share of the total TV market during the year.
Smart TVs are coming with newer features, such as integrated soundbars from leading players, video call facility, higher refresh rate for immersive gaming experience, and free Live TV channels.
Source: India Smart TV Shipments Model Tracker, Q4 2022
Notes: Xiaomi’s share includes Redmi’s share
Market summary for Q4 2022
Smart TV shipments saw flattish growth of 2% YoY owing to the slowdown after the festive season.
Xiaomi led the market with a 9% share, followed by Samsung and OnePlus at 9% and 8% respectively.
Global brands (excluding Indian and Chinese) led the market with a 39% share, followed by Chinese brands at 32% and Indian brands at 29%.
Smaller-screen TVs of 32” constituted most of the volume (47%), as they were available in the sub-INR 15,000 price segment.
OnePlus, TCL, and VU were among the fastest-growing brands in the sub-INR 30,000 price range due to the availability of newer models, and their popularity among customers.
Background
Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media and telecom) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.
Quectel and Qualcomm dominated the cellular IoT module and chipset markets, respectively.
NB-IoT is still popular among technologies but is expected to lose some market share to 4G CAT1.bis in 2023.
5G adoption to get a boost in 2024 if ASP declines to sub-$100 and 5G RedCap-based solutions become available.
China continues to lead IoT module market, followed by North America and Western Europe.
San Diego, Buenos Aires, London, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul – March 29, 2023
Global cellular IoT module shipments grew 14% YoY in 2022 to register record high annual volume, despite macroeconomic headwinds, according to Counterpoint’s latest Global Cellular IoT Module and Chipset Tracker by Application report. The resumption of smart meter implementation, ongoing retail POS upgrades, intelligent asset tracking and the continued growth in connected cars due to progress in electrification and autonomous capabilities were some of the key drivers for the double-digit percentage growth in demand for IoT modules.
China continued to lead the global cellular IoT module market in terms of demand, followed by North America and Western Europe. Meanwhile, India was the fastest growing market, followed by Latin America and North America. Although India has a smaller base, it has immense potential. Eastern Europe was the only region that registered a decline due to the prolonged Ukraine-Russia war.
Commenting on the competitive dynamics among cellular IoT module OEMs, Senior Research AnalystSoumen Mandal said, “In 2022, Quectel was the top cellular IoT module player in China, the world’s largest market for these components. Meanwhile, China Mobile and Fibocom captured second and third place, respectively, enjoying their tremendous scale in the domestic market. Outside of China, Quectel remained the leader followed by Telit and Thales which have merged and will commence operations as a new brand, Telit Cinterion, starting Q1 2023.
Quectel increased its focus in the consolidating automotive (NAD module) segment in 2022 and secured multiple design wins with major automakers. The competition in the NAD module market is intensifying as the industry transitions to 5G connectivity. With every transition of cellular technology, we have seen the market consolidate as it becomes increasingly challenging to serve the automotive segment, which requires heavy customization but garners a lower margin.
China Mobile, the world’s largest CSP and IoT connectivity player, is becoming more vertically integrated by leveraging its massive scale to capture maximum value. It has the potential to break into the top three global cellular IoT module rankings this year. However, the company primarily operates in China and will need to expand into other verticals and markets via a robust partnership model to maintain its momentum.”
Commenting on the IoT cellular connectivity chipset player dynamics, Associate Director Ethan Qi said, “Qualcomm continued to dominate the cellular IoT chipset market in 2022 with nearly 40% shipments share. Qualcomm strengthened its position in the LTE CAT 4 and higher technologies while also maintaining a dominant position in the 5G market. Qualcomm recently launched its latest 4G CAT1.bis chipset, QCX216, to compete head-on with the LTE CAT1.bis leaders UNISOC and Eigencomm.
Qi added, “In 2022, UNISOC and ASR maintained their second and third positions due to strong adoption of the fast-growing LTE CAT1.bis and CAT 1 based modules, respectively. During the year, two new players from China, Eigencomm and Xinyi Semiconductor, broke into the top five cellular IoT chipset vendor rankings, filling the gap left by Hisilicon. Eigencomm focuses on NB-IoT and 4G CAT1.bis applications while Xinyi Semiconductor focuses on NB-IoT chipsets, both being low-cost but high-volume segments.”
Commenting on the technology landscape, Mandal added, “During 2022, NB-IoT remained the most popular LPWA IoT connectivity technology followed by the fast-growing 4G CAT 1 and 4G CAT 4 modules. Together, these contributed to 60% of the total IoT module market. For most of 2022, China was under lockdown due to the resurgence of COVID-19 which drove greater demand for products such as smart door locks, digital thermometers and wearables, mostly powered by NB-IoT.
NB-IoT saw strong adoption in China but has been less popular outside the country. In contrast, 4G CAT.1bis has been gaining traction globally and has the potential to be an alternative to several NB-IoT and existing 2G/3G applications such as smart meters. However, 5G saw slower adoption in IoT than in smartphones last year due to the higher module costs. The key initial 5G applications are PCs, CPEs and some industrial/enterprise applications.
We believe 5G will enter the mainstream market once the module ASP breaks the sub-$100 barrier and receives a further boost from the 5G RedCap commercialization in coming years.”
Commenting on the IoT market outlook for 2023, Associate Director Mohit Agrawal said, “Global cellular IoT module shipments (including NAD modules) are expected to register robust growth of 19% YoY in 2023. The growth of IoT module shipments in the high-value industrial segment will be key for the IoT projects that have struggled to move beyond the pilot stage and for companies that are focusing more on ROI in a tough macroeconomic environment. Nevertheless, shipments of IoT modules for the smart meter, point of sale (POS) and the automotive markets are expected to continue seeing strong growth, which will offset a slowdown in other segments.”
The market has been undergoing consolidation across the IoT value chain from module players and connectivity management to IoT platform players. This has highlighted the importance of scale, choosing the right vertical and capturing value by striking the right partnerships or developing the right capabilities. We could see some more exits and mergers in 2023 because IoT, which is very vertical driven, has been seeing volatile growth due to internal or external factors.”
For detailed research, refer to the following reports available for subscribing clients and individuals:
Counterpoint tracks 1,500+ IoT module SKUs on a quarterly basis and provides forecasts on shipments, revenues and ASP performances for 80+ IoT module vendors, 12+ chipset players and 18+ IoT applications across 10 major geographies.
Background
Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.
A fresh round of battle has started for DLSR-like imaging performance in smartphones, with more newly launched premium flagship models sporting Sony’s IMX989 in their main cameras.
The implementation of true 1-inch capability further narrows the gap between mobile photography and professional photography.
The 1-inch optical format is a key milestone in smartphone sensor development.
Smartphone OEMs’ quest to bring professional photography experiences to their consumers has led the flagship models to increasingly adopt the 1-inch large-area image sensor. The newly launched Xiaomi 13 Pro and vivo X90 Pro/Pro+ flagship models are equipped with Sony’s IMX989 sensor, whose size has reached a level equal to that of a digital camera sensor, a key milestone in the development of mobile photography sensors.
History of 1-inch CIS in smartphones
OEMs have been trying to equip smartphones with large-size CMOS image sensors for many years. As early as Q4 of 2014, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-CM1 carried a 20MP 1-inch image sensor. This model also used some professional camera function settings and solutions, together with Leica lenses. Compared with other smartphones of the same era, this model was thicker and heavier. It seems Panasonic was trying to leverage its ability to produce compact digital cameras and combine it with the then fast-developing Android smartphone design. The model was only sold in Japan. Though it was innovative, it failed to become a success. In Q2 2021, Sharp’s Aquos R6 was launched with Sony’s Exmor RS 1-inch image sensor in its main camera. Further, in Q4 2021, Sony’s Xperia PRO-I also came equipped with the same sensor. Both models were leveraging the image sensor primarily designed for digital camera applications. As of Q4 2022, the sales volume of these two models was around 130,000 units.
Source: Counterpoint Smartphone Model Level Shipments Tracker
In the pre-1-inch era, the largest image sensor in terms of mobile photography was Samsung’s GN2 with a sensor size of 1/1.2″ and 50MP resolution. Xiaomi’s Mi 11 Ultra/Pro and Honor’s Magic 4 Ultimate used it as the main camera image sensor. According to Counterpoint Research’sMarket Pulse Service, the models equipped with the GN2 reached a combined sales volume of 3.46 million by Q4 2022. The IMX989 released by Sony in Q2 2022 officially brought mobile image sensors into the 1-inch era. As of now, the models equipped with this 1-inch CIS as the main camera include the Sharp Aquos R7, Xiaomi 12s Ultra, vivo X90 Pro, vivo X90 Pro+ and Xiaomi 13 Pro. The total shipments of models equipped with the IMX989 reached around 530,000 units by Q4 2022.
Performance improvement
A large-area image sensor can bring better background blur effects to photographs. It is worth mentioning that unlike the blur effect simulated by computing photography, the depth of field brought by a large-area sensor is much more natural. In a dark or complex environment, a large-area image sensor has better imaging effects and a shorter waiting time for taking photographs. What is more, photographs taken with a large-sensor camera have more detailed information. The gap between smartphone photographs and digital photographs is getting narrower and narrower. The 1-inch optical format smartphone image sensor has been a milestone in mobile photography development.
Outlook
Large image sensors will undoubtedly increase the cost of smartphones and bring more challenges to their internal design. But for OEMs that want to further improve their photographic performance and differentiate their portfolio, a larger image sensor would be a good solution. We will see more flagship products with 1-inch image sensors in 2023.
Background
Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.
CES, the most influential tech event in the world, was back with a bang in Las Vegas between January 4 and 8, 2023. With over 3,200 exhibitors, the event saw over 115,000 attendees, which was less than pre-COVID times but still a good turnout. It was great to be back attending an in-person event after three years to experience a wide range of innovations.
From wireless TVs to ‘true’ wireless charging solutions, color-changing cars to fridge doors, and robots and drones to concept flying cars, there were a lot of overwhelming products that were showcased at CES 2023.
Though, the key theme was Cars, Electrification, and Sustainability (or CES as we would define this year’s event).
Counterpoint Research analysts were on the ground covering the event. Here is a quick recap of some of the interesting tech we came across at the show.
Futuristic, high-tech electric cars, pickup trucks, and infotainment are in focus
Sony and Honda Mobility’s first EV, a futuristic-looking Afeela
Sony and Honda Mobility announced their partnership in 2022 to challenge Tesla in the EV market. At CES 2023, the companies showcased their prototype, Afeela, designed for urban transport. Featuring a sleek and modern design, it includes advanced technologies such as an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), all-wheel drive (AWD), a high-capacity battery, and Level 3 autonomous driving features.
The electric vehicle will be embedded with over 40 sensors including cameras, LiDAR, radars, and ultrasonic sensors. It will be made in the US, pre-orders will begin in H2 2025, and shipping is expected to start in 2026.
BMW i Vision Dee can change colors like a chameleon
Last year, at CES 2022, BMW showcased a color-changing car, though limited to just black and white shades. Now, a year later, the new and improved concept car, i Vision Dee, comes with more tricks up its sleeve. To begin with, the “Dee” here stands for Digital Emotional Experience, one where users can customize the car’s exterior color to express their style. There are 240 e-Ink segments that can display 32 different color shades.
BMW has also re-imagined the head-up display (HUD). Drivers can select driving-related information, or can also have a virtual experience with a black-out window while enjoying an autonomous driving experience. BMW said that some of this tech will make its way into production in 2025 in the next-gen platform.
Qualcomm showcases its advanced in-car tech
Qualcomm unveiled its Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC which brings low-power, advanced computing capabilities, including digital cockpit, ADAS, and AD (autonomous driving). Going beyond in-car infotainment, it can unlock in-vehicle experiences, such as the partnership with SalesForce, to offer a one-click over-the-air (OTA) upgrade for new features, buying tickets for a show, parking tickets, or even reserving a table at a restaurant on the go.
The digital cockpit part of the SoC will be able to control a range of features like voice assistant, premium audio, and rear-seat infotainment displays. The chipset is scheduled to go into mass production in early 2024, and Qualcomm is working to make it easier for Tier-1 automakers to embrace the platform.
Stellantis debuts futuristic Peugeot Inception & Ram 1500 EV Truck
Peugeot, which is a part of Stellantis, previewed a futuristic concept EV sedan, called Inception. The all-electric concept car can go 500 miles or 800 km on a single charge. It features an innovative Hypersquare control system that is inspired by video games, replacing the traditional steering wheel with an all-digital electric control. The concept EV will also feature Level 4 autonomous driving with a next-gen i-Cockpit.
Electric pickup trucks are becoming a hot trend in the auto industry and Ram, a sub-brand of automaker Stellantis, unveiled its futuristic-looking Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept at CES 2023. It comes with all the bells and whistles to outdo itself, loaded with new-age tech features such as an AR heads-up display, an AI virtual assistant, and also autonomous driving capabilities. It features a “shadow mode” which follows the driver as she walks ahead of the vehicle. What’s more, it also features Ram Charger, an autonomous charging robot that can locate the truck and automatically align and position itself to start the charging.
The RAM 1500 Revolution also features a longer cabin with third-row jump seats and even a movie projector. While Ram doesn’t have any EVs to its belt yet, the company says the new BEV truck will be a leader with its range, towing, and payload. Ram also claims that around 10 minutes of charging using 800V DC fast charging up to 350 kW can offer 100 miles of range. The production model of Ram 1500 is expected to be available in the market in 2024.
Samsung Ready Tune enhances the audio experience with software tuning
At CES 2023, Samsung, together with its subsidiary Harman, demoed Ready Tune, a new car audio technology that can intelligently adjust sound settings to offer an immersive and premium audio experience. There are three modes users can choose from to experience differentiated sound based on the content and their listening preferences.
First up, there is Live Mode which replicates the acoustics you would experience in the live stadium. Then there is Club Mode which enhances the audio to offer crisp and punchy bass. Lastly, there is Talk Mode that enhances the spoken content, making it ideal when listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and more.
Microsoft and GM show off in-cockpit gaming experiences
More and more EVs are getting adopted by consumers, but the battery charging scenario still remains a challenge. So, when you are on a road trip and need to charge the battery, what do you do in the downtime? Well, Microsoft and GM demoed one of the things you could enjoy while the car’s battery is charging.
The companies demonstrated a new video game called Dash Runner to showcase how users can make the most of the time when the EV is charging. Tesla already has a mode where you can play games, so this isn’t exactly new. But it was fun playing the game with immersive audio from the in-car speakers. An added touch was the good haptics on the steering wheel and the seat too. But it is not just gaming, users can also stream movies and TV shows and enjoy a rich audio experience.
Electrification of everything from excavators to shuttles and even boats
Moving from cars to electrification, big names like John Deere, ZF Group, Hyundai Mobis and Brunswick, all showcased their EVs.
Brunswick electric boat with an auto-docking made waves at CES 2023
Brunswick, the world’s largest boat and engine builder, unveiled its electric boat called Veer X13. It is a 13-foot fishing boat powered by a rechargeable battery motor. The company said it will be bringing more such boats to the market. They also showcased another solution, an on-boat electric generator called Mastervolt, which can power the TVs, radio, and lights on boats, something that is generally powered by gas engines.
But the coolest thing Brunswick had at the demo zone was a simulator showcasing autonomous features for the Sea Ray boat. It is trying to create future boats with self-docking abilities and intelligent sensor-based solutions for maneuvering, object detection, and avoidance. Besides the electrification of boats, it was interesting to see how Brunswick is combining internet connectivity and AI technologies. The demo showed how a boat when reaching the peer/port, can dock itself. If there is a boat approaching, it can stop in the middle of the process, and then continue once it passes.
John Deere announces electric excavator and new planting technology
Moving over from autonomous and electric boats, John Deere revealed ExactShot planting technology which uses robotics and sensors to place starter fertilizer precisely onto seeds when they are planted in the soil, rather than applying a continuous flow of fertilizer to the entire row of seeds. It will help farmers be economically and environmentally sustainable by reducing the amount of starter fertilizer by more than 60%.
John Deere also announced an electric excavator which is aimed at reducing emissions, noise on site, and daily operating costs, all without sacrificing performance and power.
Hyundai Mobis has a futuristic vision for autonomous mobility
Auto component maker Hyundai Mobis showed off its future mobility technology by presenting the M Vision TO purpose-built concept autonomous shuttle for public transport. The self-driving electric vehicle is equipped with four pillars having radars, sensors, and cameras. Packing more tech, it will also have mixed reality (MR) displays, e-corner modules and LiDARs integrated into the pillars.
The concept shuttle could be ideal for recreational purposes at theme and amusement parks, within big companies, university campuses, and more. The notable thing about the e-corner modules is that it combines an electric motor for steering and braking. It also features a crab walk mode where wheels can turn up to 90 degrees for parking. The company also showcased the M Vision HI concept which builds on the same idea but has a more boxy design. Its windows double as a multipurpose display with multiple use cases – from shopping online or watching movies.
ZF Group offers a sneak peek at futuristic autonomous shuttles
ZF Group is partnering with shuttle operator Beep to bring Level-4 autonomous shuttle that can self-drive without human intervention. With these electric-powered, autonomous shuttles, the companies aim to reduce traffic-related emissions while also tackling the driver shortage for the local public.
There will be two different types of shuttles, one of which will be geared towards use in dedicated lanes, whereas the other will be primarily aimed at use in urban areas with mixed traffic. The shuttles will come with all the sophisticated sensor technology including radar, LiDARs, and cameras.
These announcements clearly showcase the industry’s ambition to automate every form of mobility. And while these are just concepts for now, it will take a few years to turn this vision into reality.
Focus on sustainability for a cleaner, greener tomorrow
We saw the electrification of cars, boats, tractors, scooters, bikes, and more, all focusing on a common goal – sustainability – and reducing carbon emissions. But it’s not just electric vehicles, there are many other industries where sustainability will play a crucial role. Samsung showcased its vision of net-zero homes, one where SmartThings with AI can optimize energy consumption at home by controlling all the appliances efficiently.
One other thing that caught our attention at CES 2023 was one where companies showcased their long-range wireless charging solutions. Besides cutting the chord, sustainability could be one of the key benefits of this technology as it can save the usage of millions of batteries on devices that use supercapacitors or the ones that don’t need frequent replacement of batteries. The wireless charging solutions are ideal for IoT devices such as door locks, electric toothbrushes, bulbs, game controllers, and more. B2B devices with use cases include malls, stores, and restaurants – in display units where they can show product prices, food menus, ads, and more. These display units can have a flat Li-Ion battery which can last for about six years or more.
A company called Wi-Charge showcased its infrared-based wireless charging solution. It features a transmitter device and a receiver that can charge devices from a field of view of 45 degrees, and an operating range of 10 meters.
Ossia was another company that uses a physics-based approach. The solution operates on 5.8GHz RF frequency and works in a range of 10 meters. It uses a transmitter box (as big as a PlayStation console) and is good enough to power IoT devices in a room, electric toothbrushes, and more. It could also be ideal for other low-power devices like smoke detectors, light bulbs, and more.
There was one other company, PowerCast, which already has a working solution powering the Samsung TV remote. It uses a supercapacitor to hold the power, and charges via solar or by any 2.4GHz router when kept in proximity. Home security and even temperature humidity controllers can be operated from up to 120ft without having any battery in them, which is an interesting use case.
Overall, CES 2023 was a great show offering a glimpse of an autonomous, electric and sustainable future. It was good to experience these new, futuristic technologies, learn where the industry is headed, and how OEMs are making an effort for a better tomorrow.
Sony was the only major vendor to achieve a YoY revenue growth, thanks to Apple’s camera upgrades.
Both Sony and Samsung managed to improve their product mix.
The global smartphone image sensor market had a disappointing 2022. Even as the annual smartphone shipments dropped nearly 11% amid the unfavorable macro environment, the multi-camera trend decelerated with less adoption of low-pixel cameras for depth-sensing and macro-lens applications. The related CIS (CMOS Image Sensor) sales entered a period of contraction and a sizable inventory correction was made to alleviate the oversupply situation, particularly for 8MP and lower-megapixel sensors.
According to Counterpoint’s Smartphone Camera Tracker, global smartphone image sensor shipments were down mid-teens compared to 2021, with all major vendors suffering different degrees of decline. But when it came to the revenue in dollars, Sony managed to achieve a YoY growth as Apple, which was estimated to have contributed half of Sony’s mobile CIS revenue, further improved the iPhone camera specs during the year.
Sony Benefits From Apple’s Image Sensor Upgrades
Source: Counterpoint BoM analysis service
For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max feature a brand-new 48MP image sensor for their rear main cameras, a larger-size ultrawide sensor and an autofocus-capable front sensor. Thanks to the upgrades, Sony was estimated to have added more than $6 per unit or approximately $300 million in sales in the second half of 2022.
In the Android camp, Samsung LSI also benefited from the camera enhancement trend and improved its product mix, which partially offset the significant loss in shipments. Taking the first-mover advantage in mass-producing sub-0.7μm high-resolution sensors, Samsung shipped an estimated 200 million affordable 50MP image sensors in 2022. The 0.64μm-based Samsung S5KJN1 was a great success. It has good versatility and has been widely applied not only in mid- to low-end smartphones’ rear main cameras but also in front or ultrawide cameras of premium models. Moreover, Samsung still dominates the supply of 100MP and above sensors and has raised the bar higher with the commercialization of 200MP sensors (ISOCELL HP1 @ 0.64μm, HP3 @ 0.56μm). By the end of 2022, the accumulated shipment volume had exceeded 150 million units.
Unlike Sony and Samsung, which shifted their focus to providing high-megapixel products, the sales performance of OmniVision, Galaxycore and SK Hynix was more susceptible to the contraction in mobile CIS demand. All these three vendors were estimated to have recorded a double-digit YoY decline in their revenues in 2022.
Smartphone Image Sensor Market Share By Vendor, 2022
Source: Counterpoint Smartphone Camera Tracker
The smartphone CIS market became more consolidated in 2022 in terms of revenues. Sony expanded its share to slightly over 54%. The top two vendors accounted for around 83% of the total market revenue. The market consolidation is expected to continue in 2023. Samsung’s new 200MP lineup and Sony’s large-area 50MP sensors, such as the high-profile IMX989, will compete for the premium camera design wins. Despite the shipment and revenue declines in 2022, we expect the mobile CIS market to quickly return to the growth track, as long as the camera system is still at the core of smartphone upgrades, thus resulting in improvements in resolution, sensor size and even integration of AI capabilities.
After two years of virtual presence, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was back in Las Vegas this month. Major consumer electronics and technology brands like Samsung, LG, Huawei and HTC participated in the event. The consumer IoT (CIoT) announcements at the event mainly revolved around gaming, high-quality display products, advanced audio processing technologies, smart security solutions, seamless connectivity (Matter), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. We have covered below some of the major CIoT announcements at CES 2022:
Odyssey Neo G9 is the world’s first gaming monitor with a dual ultra-high-definition (UHD) resolution. It has a 1000R curved 57” screen with 7,680×2,160 resolution and a 32:9 aspect ratio.
The display is equipped with quantum micro-LED technology for a better visual experience.
It is supported by the world’s first DisplayPort 2.1, which is capable of transferring data at twice the speed of the previous version.
For a smooth gaming experience, it offers a 0.1ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with OTT apps (Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube) and the Samsung Gaming Hub streaming platform.
With the new monitor lineup, Samsung is focusing on enhancing the immersive experience of gamers through superior quality visual display and better refresh rate.
Other notable launches by Samsung
ViewFinity S9 is the newest addition to its monitor lineup. It comes with a 5K 27” screen for the first time. It is specially designed for creative professionals such as graphic designers and photographers.
Smart Monitor M8 has been launched in two variants – 27” and 32” – with 4K resolution. The main highlights of the device are its slick design and focus on advanced security through Samsung Knox Vault.
This is LG’s first-ever 45-inch curved OLED gaming monitor which offers a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (GTG) response time for low-latency gaming applications.
It has an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio and 800R curvature with a 3,440×1440 resolution.
It also sports an anti-glare and low reflection (AGLR) panel design to adjust the lighting in a bright room setting.
LG also quietly showcased a new gaming laptop (LG UltraGear 17G90Q) and UltraGear gaming speakers. With these new devices, it appears that LG is also shifting its focus toward gaming.
Lenovo tablet launch
Lenovo Tab Extreme
Lenovo Tab Extreme comes with a 14.5-inch OLED display and is also supported by Dolby Vision and HDR10+ to deliver superior quality while watching movies or series. It has eight speakers which are tuned by JBL.
It is equipped with a Dimensity 9000 chipset, 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of internal storage, 12,300 mAh battery, 68W fast-charging support and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
The touch display can also be operated with the in-house Lenovo Precision Pen 3.
The device is mainly targeted towards the enterprise segment. It will be available in the second half of this year in the US market for $1,199. At this price point, it is mainly competing with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and Apple’s iPad Pro.
Interesting TV launches
World’s first smart TV metaverse experience
Source Digital (a data-driven engagement platform) and Sansar (a social VR platform) showcased their metaverse offerings and capabilities on a smart TV to find new ways of monetizing the digital experience of users. The companies formed a partnership in July last year.
Through their user-friendly application, users can immersively watch real-time events such as concerts and sports events in a 2D or 3D setup. It also allows consumers to interact and engage with other people and even purchase merchandise.
The Sansar app is available on webOS LG smart TVs. Users will benefit from a personalized content experience. Last year, Samsung also partnered with Nifty Gateway to develop the first-ever smart TV non-fungible token (NFT) platform.
Samsung introduces new Neo QLED, Micro LED and OLED TVs
The Neo QLED lineup is powered by the company’s advanced Neural Quantum Processor and comes in 4K and 8K variants. The TVs are equipped with a single chip module for built-in Matter, Thread and Zigbee for seamless connectivity.
Samsung also released its bezel-less MicroLED TVs in display sizes of 50, 63, 76, 89, 101, 114 and 140 inches.
Samsung’s 2023 OLED lineup is now available in 55, 65 and the new ultra-large 77 inches models with 144 Hz refresh rate. For the first time, these Samsung OLED TV models receive AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro certification.
With these new devices, Samsung is aiming to enhance the viewing experience with better picture quality and offering a multi-device compatibility feature which is mostly absent in premium devices.
To deliver a smooth connected device experience, this time, SmartThings syncs not just with Samsung devices but also with third-party appliances and other IoT devices. Samsung has also integrated features like Chat Together (real-time chat), ConnecTime (video calls), 3DMap View and Samsung Gaming Hub to drive user engagement.
Skyworth showcases world’s first outdoor Google TV
The new model S1 is equipped with eight speakers and is supported by Dolby Atmos and HDR10 for an enhanced audio-visual experience.
The brand is focusing on providing high peak brightness and introducing high contrast to upgrade the product experience in its new smart TV.
In addition to S1, the brand also released the W82 Transformable OLED TV, Q52 Mini LED TV, G3B QLED+ TV, and the Coolita OS smart TV system.
LG releases world’s first wireless OLED TV
LG Signature OLED M (model M3) TV is the world’s first 97-inch wireless TV that comes with an OLED display. LG is setting the benchmark for innovation with this new device.
The device supports content at 4K 120Hz and uses the company’s Zero Connect technology which is a wireless solution for the transmission of video and audio in real time.
This model also won the CES 2023 Innovation Award in two categories.
New smartwatches and TWS models from leading brands
Citizen releases Smart Sport and CZ Smart Casual
The claimed unique thing about these wearable devices is that they come with a built-in self-care advisor which offers personalized recommendations to create better routine habits.
Both these devices are supported by Google WearOS and the key differentiating factor is the case size and design.
These smartwatches are equipped with a heart rate sensor, SPO2, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, built-in speaker, NFC and fast-charging support. Prices range from $350 to $435. These smartwatches will be available in the US from March 2023.
Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid Wellness Edition
The watch has mechanical hands that function like a vintage watch and a digital display that can be used to track health-related features and get weather-related updates.
This smartwatch is specifically designed for mechanical watch lovers and will be available at a price point of $299.
Verizon’s Gizmo Watch 3 for kids
This smartwatch comes in two attractive colors – blue clay and mint – and is specifically designed for kids to track their location for safety purposes.
It is priced at $149 and is capable of recording videos, along with the ability to send and receive messages and phone calls. It has built-in cellular connectivity.
Verizon is also offering $100 discount on the second Gizmo Watch 3 purchase for families with multiple kids.
Motorola launches new ANC earbuds: Moto Buds 600
It is the latest audio offering by the brand that comes at a price of $149.99.
The device is equipped with fast pair technology and comes with Bluetooth multi-point technology which allows the buds to be connected to two different devices simultaneously.
The device also supports Google Assistant and Wireless Charging.
JBL announces JBL Tour Pro 2 wireless earbuds
It offers the world’s first smart charging case. These earbuds come with a touchscreen on the charging case to quickly access the volume buttons, manage music, receive calls and receive social media notifications in real time without referring to an app or smartphone.
These earbuds will be available in the US for $249.95.
boAt showcases advanced audio products
boAt has partnered with tech firms such as Dolby, Dirac, Mimi and CEVA to showcase its advanced range of audio products.
boAt showcased its new Rockerz 330/333 ANC neckbands which are powered by Dirac Opteo technology.
Some of the other products launched in partnership with Dirac include the Rockerz Apex neckband, Nirvana Nebula, Airdopes Synth TWS and Nirvana 525 ANC neckband.
These new products are aimed at providing personalized audio offerings to enhance the user experience.
All the new TWS devices aim at improving the listening experience along with the diffusion of fast-charging capabilities so that they can be used for a longer duration.
Smart security products by Amazon
Amazon expanded its Ring product lineup with a new dashcam ‘Ring Car Cam’ and video doorbell ‘Ring Peephole Cam’
Ring Car Came comes with a dual-facing camera for interior and exterior view recording from the vehicle. It is also equipped with smart sensors to detect events around the vehicle. It is available for preorders at $199.99.
Ring Peehole Cam is a video doorbell that is equipped with a 1080p HD camera and motion detectors for smart security. It is now available in the US for $129.99.
Other notable smart device launches
Ring showcased a first view of its smart home security drone. It is a mini-drone that can be used as a flying security camera to spy on unusual activities at home.
Shelly, a division of Allterco Robotics, introduced eight new smart home products. The main products include a smoke alarm detector, energy meter, Android wall panel, door/window sensor, smart logs, and a Bluetooth device that can control all other smart home devices. The aim is to make these devices affordable for a large group of people.
Smartsound unveiled the world’s first AI-based smart stethoscope series under the names Skeeper R1, H1 and P1. These stethoscopes are designed to identify and monitor heart and lung sounds for remote medical treatment and home care.
Smart appliances by Samsung
Bespoke AI Oven: This smart oven is equipped with a ‘Sense Inside’ feature which can recognize up to 80 different dishes through an AI-based image recognition system, thus offering greater convenience and helping avoid overcooking of the food. It is the first AI food recognition algorithm that has received verification from UL solutions. It is currently available in Europe and will be available for sale in North America in Q3 2023.
Bespoke 4-door Flex refrigerator comes with a massive 32-inch touchscreen: It comes with a four-door design, and a very large display to control all other smart home devices, play music, watch videos and do grocery shopping through the SmartThings app.
Bespoke washer and dryer pair that use AI to optimize temperature settings and determine the ideal amount of detergent for each load.
Roborock refreshed its S8 series of robot vacuums: The top model in the refreshed series is the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra which has a 6kPa suction power as compared to 5.1kPa offered in the previous version. The new series focuses on enhancing cleaning efficiency through advanced features. The price of the Roborock series starts from $749.
Withings U-Scan urine analyzer: It is a Wi-Fi-connected device that is placed inside the toilet to analyze urine. It helps in providing nutrition and hydration information along with information on women’s menstrual health.
Conclusion
Most of the smart TV players focused on delivering superior quality and fast-gaming experience through bigger-size, high-quality OLED displays and better refresh rates. This time, the focus was also on multi-device connectivity features along with Matter support. Most of the technology companies focused on improving the customer experience.
In the wearables segment, the emphasis continued to be on health-related aspects and fast-charging support. Another important area that gained traction was smart security solutions due to the need for child and elderly care and to serve the needs of working professionals.
The CIoT market holds tremendous potential to grow in the coming period owing to an increased focus on affordability and integration of the latest tech innovations.
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Source: India Smart TV Shipments Model Tracker, Q4 2022
Source: India Smart TV Shipments Model Tracker, Q4 2022
