Although PC demand is expected to gradually recover in H2 2023, full-year shipments are set to decline by double-digit percentages.
Windows 11, commercial/flagship models and replacement cycles are key 2024 growth drivers.
Taipei, London, Hong Kong, Boston, Toronto, New Delhi, Beijing, Seoul – April 17, 2023
Global PC shipments fell 28% YoY in Q1 2023
Global PC shipments dropped 28% YoY in Q1 2023 to hit 56.7 million units, the lowest quarterly numbers in the past 10 years, excluding Q1 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak interrupted manufacturing and production. The Q1 2023 decline was due to the continued delay in demand pickup amid an inventory correction during the quarter. However, we are cautiously optimistic and believe the overall PC market will start gradually recovering in the latter half of Q2 2023 which will pave the way for comparably stronger momentum in H2 2023.
Global PC Shipments by Vendor, Q1 2023
The last mile of inventory digestion since mid-2022
The PC and PC components’ inventory issue has remained for more than half a year due to frozen demand and aggressive double booking. As we have already entered the post-pandemic era and are settling in with the new work environment and lifestyle, the PC industry has also adapted a lot with incremental demand from each consumer. However, increased devices per person do not imply continuous high-level demand for PCs, especially during economic downturns. Fortunately, based on feedback from OEM/ODMs, we are close to the end of PC inventory digestion which is expected by H1 2023. PC OEMs could begin executing their next step of PC strategies as consumer demand is gradually increasing.
Major OEMs, especially Apple, had a tough time in Q1 2023
Lenovo remained the world’s largest PC vendor in Q1 2023, despite a huge decline in shipments during the quarter. The company registered shipments of 12.8 million units in Q1 2023 and a market share of 23%. HP reported a relatively narrow adjustment in the quarter off a lower base in the year-ago period, maintained its second rank and retained its 21% market share. Dell’s better-than-expected performance in the US helped the company rank third in terms of global PC shipments during the quarter with a 17% market share. Apple suffered the most, marking a 38% YoY decline in shipments due to a higher base in the year-ago period and a longer replacement cycle.
We foresee slow-paced demand recovery
It is widely expected that PC demand will recover in H2 2023. PC OEMs are also looking forward to a pickup in demand following the inventory digestion. Although we did say that demand will recover post-inventory normalization, we are afraid demand recovery will take slightly longer to start accelerating. On the other hand, we believe the rate of demand recovery will vary across different categories. Based on our checks, demand for commercial segments and premium/flagship consumer product lines will likely recover faster than others and are expected to sell better in H2 2023. Arm laptops continue to be relatively vulnerable due to a lower shipment base a year ago and are more eye-catching to customers.
Inventory Correction Continues while YoY decline improves
Another YoY double-digit percentage shipment contraction is expected in 2023
Although OEM vendors reported another quarterly shipment decline in Q1 2023, they maintain a cautiously-optimistic tone for PC demand in H2 2023. We further adjust our 2023 global PC shipments forecasts and expect to see a double-digit percentage shipment decline throughout 2023 from the original high single-digit percentage shipment decline at the end of 2022. Additionally, we expect a bright 2024 due to renewal demand from Chromebook and Windows 11, coupled with a replacement cycle since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Day 1 of the annual MWC Barcelona is the busiest as the show floor opens to thousands of attendees and brands participating in one of the world’s biggest tech fairs. Yesterday we covered the pre-show announcements that took place at MWC 2023. Today, smartphone brands like OnePlus, HONOR, and Xiaomi showcased their concepts and new products. Below is a quick summary of the announcements:
OnePlus 11 concept smartphone, 45W Liquid Cooler, XR partnerships, and more
After globally launching the OnePlus 11 earlier this month, OnePlus showcased a concept smartphone with a new active cooling technology called Active CryoFlux. The new cooling technology will lower smartphone temperatures by up to 2.1°C, improving a game’s frame rate by 3-4fps, or by 1.6°C during charging, which slightly improves charging times. This is achieved through an industrial-grade piezoelectric ceramic micropump that runs cooling liquid through micropipes in the smartphone without significantly increasing the OnePlus 11 Concept’s weight or thickness.
A new OnePlus 45W Liquid Cooler was also showcased. It is a semiconductor-based thermoelectric cooler that reduces the temperature of a device by up to 20°C. Of note, OnePlus and its industry partners also presented the OnePlus 11 5G’s XR experience possibilities through ray tracing technology powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, and a Snapdragon XR2 AR Wireless Smart Viewer experience. The OnePlus 11 5G is the first Snapdragon Spaces-ready smartphone for the Snapdragon Spaces XR developer program.
HONOR Magic5 series, Magic Vs foldable launch
HONOR took the stage to announce the global launch of its premium line-up – Magic5 Pro and Magic5 – as part of the brand’s dual-flagship line-up strategy catering to two different segments. The HONOR Magic5 Pro is available in one configuration – 12GB RAM and 512GB – and will sell for €1,200, whereas the HONOR Magic5 8GB RAM with 256GB storage will be available for €900. Both devices are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, support 66W wired charging and feature a “falcon camera” system, which uses AI to select the best shot for a moving object.
HONOR also launched its first foldable device outside China – Magic Vs. This is also the first book-type foldable phone other than Samsung launched outside China. The hinge comprises only four pieces of material, compared to 92 pieces in a typical competitor offering. The folding smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC.
Foldables have become an established niche with cumulative shipments crossing the 20-million mark in 2022. At €1,599 ($1,693), the HONOR Magic Vs undercuts Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 which costs €1,800. HONOR is competing directly with Samsung here. The competition in the foldable segment will intensify in 2023.
Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass showcased
After launching the 13 series smartphones along with a bunch of IoT products, Xiaomi also showcased the Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition at MWC. These are standalone AR glasses that can be wirelessly paired with your smartphone or other compatible devices for immersive AR experiences.
There are two MicroOLED screens with a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits per eye. The electrochromic lenses come with an immersive mode for complete immersion in the virtual space. Then, there is also a transparent mode, allowing users to see the objects in their surroundings. Xiaomi has also added three cameras to map out the surrounding world around the user. These AR glasses are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 platform and support the Snapdragon Spaces XR developer platform. To offer precise controls and operation, Xiaomi has also developed its own AR gesture controls with spatial detection.
Foldable smartphones are becoming a little common today as they offer both compact and big-screen experiences in one device. But foldables aren’t the only way to get a big-screen experience. Smartphone brands are also experimenting with rollable displays. OPPO showcased its rollable smartphone last year, and this year Motorola has showcased the working prototype of its rollable device called Moto Rizr.
Credit – Lenovo
The Android prototype comes with a 5-inch, 15:9 aspect-ratio display that can roll up to offer a 6.5-inch, 22:9 aspect-ratio screen. Though the smartphone seems to be operational, the company has not mentioned anything about its intention of putting this prototype into production anytime soon. Lenovo also offered a sneak peek at a proof-of-concept laptop featuring a rollable screen that goes from 12.7 inches (4:3 aspect ratio) to 15.3 inches (8:9 aspect ratio).
Credit – Lenovo
It is good to see OEMs trying out different form factors, but it will take a while before this tech becomes mainstream. How companies will address the durability and software challenges will be something to look forward to.
BeUno implants, more than health trackers
A company called Dsruptive is offering BeUno ‘implants’ that are claimed to deliver a better user experience in the health and medical industry as compared to the wearables. These capsule-like implants (or sensors) are placed inside the body to monitor body temperature, remotely monitor patients and provide personalized treatment. The solution, which has been clinically tested, gets activated via NFC and does not need any battery to operate.
There are other use cases beyond healthcare, like unlocking doors by using the implants as an electronic ticket (already started in Sweden), and using them for bio-payments. While all this seems promising, there will be some key challenges for the technology, such as mass adoption due to regulatory issues, customer acceptance, and any health-related implications due to the implants.
With inputs from Maurice Klaehne, Varun Mishra, and Anshika Jain This is a developing post…
Global PC shipments fell 27.8% YoY in Q4 2022 to reach 65.2 million units.
For the full year of 2022, the shipments declined 15% YoY.
Macroeconomic headwinds, increasing inflation pressure and frozen PC demand affected the global PC market in 2022.
Soft demand in H1 2023 will cause heavy pressure on shipments. Therefore, we do not see annual shipment growth in 2023.
Taipei, London, Hong Kong, Boston, Toronto, New Delhi, Beijing, Seoul – January 19, 2023
Global PC shipments left Q4 2022 with a record-high YoY decline of 27.8% to reach 65.2 million units, according to Counterpoint Research’s data. Although inventory levels of several OEMs and ODMs likely peaked in Q3 2022, the year-end season failed to accelerate the PC shipment momentum in Q4. At 286 million units, the total PC shipments for 2022 also reflect a muted global PC demand with four consecutive quarters of YoY shipment declines. Therefore, we are not expecting a decent rebound in H1 2023.
Macroeconomic headwinds, increasing inflation pressure and frozen PC demand affected the global PC market in 2022, with shipments declining 15% YoY. Besides, consumers who bought new PCs were still enjoying the latest models, whereas enterprises were working more carefully on their budgets. Also, the lack of appealing functions and financial support could not bring in incremental demand in 2022, not to mention the aggressive inventory digestion target of OEMs since H1 2022.
Record YoY Shipment Decline in Q4 2022
Source: Counterpoint Research
Lenovo continued to lead the market in Q4 2022 but with a flattish 23.7% share. Mild inventory correction dragged the company’s performance amid a lackluster holiday season. Its shipments declined 17% YoY in 2022 to take a 23.7% market share. We expect Lenovo’s shipment decline to normalize along with demand revival in the Chinese market in 2023.
HP secured its second place in Q4 2022 with a 20.3% share. Its shipments declined 29% YoY during the quarter but it was the only major PC OEM to report positive sequential shipment growth in Q4, thanks to improving shipment performance in North America and a lower base in Q3. HP had the largest shipment pullback in 2022 due to weak consumer demand across the globe. The company ultimately recorded a below 20% market share in 2022. But we expect a meaningful share rebound in 2023.
Dell’s 16.7% market share was the lowest in the past seven quarters largely due to an enterprise demand slowdown. As the economic situation remains weak, the company is not expected to see rapid pick-up for commercial models in 2023, which is crucial for Dell to narrow the market share gap with HP. Therefore, we may see pressures on Dell’s share (17.4% in 2022) and shipment performance in 2023.
Apple’s comparatively tiny 3% YoY shipment decline in Q4 2022 helped the company close the book with a flattish shipment volume performance for 2022. Apple kept gaining market share at the expense of x86-based vendors and recorded a double-digit share in the second half of 2022 and 9.4% in the full year. Arm-based M-series models helped the company weather the slump cycle in both consumer and commercial devices in 2022.
Global PC Shipments by Vendor, Q4 2022
Source: Counterpoint Research
Windows on Arm a key focus in 2023
Despite near-term headwinds, we could still see global PC shipment volumes higher than pre-COVID levels in the coming years, thanks to the continuous work environment and lifestyle changes and delayed procurement from both consumer and commercial sectors after H1 2023. Consumer demand will likely see gradual rebound in H2 2023 followed by a slower warm-up in enterprise procurement. Soft demand in the first half will cause heavy pressure on global PC shipments. Therefore, we do not see annual shipment growth in 2023.
Eying Apple’s M-series success, Qualcomm’s Arm-based Oryon CPU will likely enter the market and heat up Windows-on-Arm momentum in 2023. We see mid-single-digit YoY shipment growth for Arm-based laptops compared to the global laptop market’s high-single-digit shipment decline in 2023.
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.
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.
Lenovo, the world’s largest PC maker and third largest tablet maker, launched the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 tablet in September this year. Compared to the Tab P11 Pro Gen 1, the successor brings some key upgrades to the screen, stylus, speakers and more. The display now supports HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 600 nits compared to 400 nits in the first generation. However, the screen is now slightly smaller at 11.2 inches compared to the previous generation’s 11.5 inches. The stylus is now magnetic, while the speakers are now tuned by JBL.
Under the hood is a MediaTek 1300T (6nm) SoC, an upgrade from Qualcomm’sSnapdragon 730G (8nm) in the previous generation. The dual camera is now replaced by a single 13MP camera and an LED flash too.. The second generation has one more SKU, with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which is the one we tested. Lenovo also sent us the keyboard and Lenovo Precision Pen 3 stylus.
Compared to the previous generation, Lenovo has upgraded the specifications to align them with how the tablets are now used by consumers, focusing on display, sound and performance. We have been using the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 for almost three weeks now and below is our analysis focusing on its performance and overall experience.
Design: Sleek, minimalistic and premium
The Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 comes with a dual-tone grey aluminum back which looks elegant. The lighter grey area has a matt finish, while the darker grey area has a glossy finish, giving a smooth and premium feel.
There is a single camera and a flash at the top left with a very thin bump so the tablet can rest almost flat on the surface. At the back, you have Lenovo, JBL and Dolby Atmos branding in very light colors. During our usage, we did notice some fingerprints and dust at the back.
Lenovo P11 Pro Gen 2 Dual Tone Back
On the front, the tab has a gorgeous 11.2-inch display which we will talk about in just a bit. The front camera is on the top of the display when placed horizontally, which is how we generally use the tab. There are three buttons. Double-clicking the power/sleep button on the top acts as a quick shortcut to open the camera. There are also two volume buttons. All three buttons have a nice tactile feel.
The overall build quality feels sturdy and the tablet weighs just 480 g, which makes it easy to carry around. Overall, in terms of design and form factor, Lenovo has done a fantastic job with the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, making it a sleek, elegant and premium-looking tablet.
Display and audio: An entertainment powerhouse
The Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 boasts a crisp 2.5K OLED display of 2560×1536 pixels resolution. The dimensions are also more rectangular with a 15:9 aspect ratio, compared to the iPad Air for example. But this makes the Lenovo tablet easier to hold on to as well as consume content as most videos are shot in the 16:9 aspect ratio.
The screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes the overall experience very smooth with scrolls being extremely fluid. The display also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for all your content consumption needs. The panel offers deep blacks, great contrast, wide viewing angles and punchy color reproduction. With 600 nits of peak brightness, outdoor visibility is decent. The display is also TUV-certified to filter blue light, thus causing less strain to the eyes.
The tablet also features a quad-speaker setup tuned by JBL and supports Dolby Atmos for a good surround sound experience. It comes with three modes – dynamic, movie and music. The dynamic mode identifies the content and performs auto-adjustments to deliver the best sound. The speakers are loud and offer good voice clarity, which is enough for small rooms. There is no need to use headphones when watching content or taking calls. Overall, a good display and crisp and clear audio are some of the highlights of the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2.
Precision pen: Great for taking notes, may be not for artists
The tablet also comes with the Precision Pen 3 stylus which has a cylindrical design and a single button to access the shortcut menu. It can be used to take notes and screenshots, access the laser pointer and camera. The laser pointer is a nice utility that can be used for presentations. The stylus charges magnetically when snapped on both the side and the back.
Lenovo Precision Pen 3 Stylus
I used it mostly for taking notes. The pressure sensitivity was accurate, and the overall writing experience was smooth. I also have an Apple iPad Air with Apple Pencil Gen 2. I felt the strokes on the Apple device were smoother with less latency, compared to those on the Lenovo device. The pen works well enough to drive everyday needs like taking notes. Some heavy users or artists may find the Apple Pencil Gen 2 in iPads more relevant.
Keyboard: Smooth typing experience
The tablet also has a dock for the keyboard, which is sold as a separate accessory (for around US$99). Our review unit came with a version that had the keyboard inside the box. The keyboard attaches to the tablet using pogo pins. The keys have a good travel and are well-spaced, making it comfortable for long hours of typing. However, when switching from a laptop, it needs some time to adjust. Once you get used to it, it feels very natural. I used it for typing Word documents and replying to emails, and it felt easy.
Lenovo P11 Pro Gen 2 Keyboard
There are several very well thought out shortcut buttons on the keyboard as well, including for back, muting microphone for calls, screenshot, lock and split screen.
The keyboard also has a small trackpad and it supports two-finger and three-finger swipes, and pinch-zoom gestures. But I found that pinch zoom was working on some of the websites on my laptop but not on the tab. The scrolling is pretty smooth. However, due to the small size of the trackpad, I was accidentally pulling down the drop-down window from the top while scrolling. At the same time, I was able to attach a mouse using a USB C hub, which also worked flawlessly most of the time. Sometimes the trackpad failed to work with the Office 365 app, and it needs some more optimization here.
Productivity mode: Windows OS feel
There is also a productivity mode in the tablet, which, once switched on, converts the layout to more like a desktop Windows OS with a taskbar at the bottom. The notification tray moves to the bottom right. The app drawer is on the bottom left, just like the Start Menu in Windows. You can also open several apps in small windows simultaneously for multitasking. However, I mostly used the split screen feature, which was more user-friendly when combined with the split screen shortcut on the keyboard.
Extended display: Great for streaming, optimization needed for productivity
I also used an HDMI cable through a USB C hub to connect the tab to an external display. The theme on the monitor is like what the tab has on the productivity mode. However, you will not be able to open apps on the tab and drag those to the extended screen, which would have been a more convenient feature, like on laptops or desktops. If an app is already running on the tab, and you will try to open the same app on the external desktop, it will throw a notification saying the app is open on another device and will have to restart. However, streaming content on the external display showed no signs of lag and the overall experience of content consumption was very smooth.
Lenovo P11 Pro Gen 2 Extended Display Mode
Camera: Easy daily driver for most of video-calling needs
The tablet features an 8MP front camera for video calling and it works across apps like Teams, Zoom and Skype. The location of the front camera is also on the top, which means the camera positioning is at the center when you are taking calls. You end up looking at the camera directly without any effort, just like on laptops. Combined with the loud audio fired by the quad speakers, the tab is an easy daily driver for most of video-calling needs.
Overall performance: Good for entertainment, basic productivity
I mostly used the tablet to stream content, play games, read emails, take video calls and type text over the last couple of weeks. There were no performance issues most of the time. Under the hood is a MediaTek Kompanio 1300T SoC paired with 8GB of RAM, which was able to handle everyday tasks with ease. I also played games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends. Both ran smoothly without any hiccups.
The 8200mAh battery lasted for more than a day. The tab comes with 20W fast charging, which takes two to three hours to charge the battery completely. One good thing here is the length of the USB cable, which is almost 1.5 times that of what comes with the iPad Air. This is very convenient when the tab is mostly resting on the table with a charging port at some distance.
In terms of software, the tab comes with Android 12L out of the box. The operating system is clean and runs smoothly, except for some glitches in terms of integration with the hardware and optimization of applications. But Lenovo is promising three years of updates and we expect to see some more optimizations on the software side to make the experience even better.
Key takeaways
With the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, Lenovo has hit the sweet spot of performance, experience and price. It has made some great decisions in terms of what to include in the hardware based on tablet usage.
A good display and audio, great performance, premium design, solid build quality, and software that is only bound to improve, make the tablet an easy choice.
The added stylus and keyboard support provide the tab with even more versatility.
The tablet delivers great experience in content consumption, reading, calls, battery life, gaming, typing and completing tasks on the go, thus catering to almost every need of a regular tablet user.
The global smartphone market declined by 12% YoY even as it grew by 2% QoQ to reach 301 million units in Q3 2022.
While quarterly growth in Apple and Samsung pushed the global smartphone market above 300 million units, a level it failed to reach last quarter, political and economic instability drove negative consumer sentiment.
Apple was the only top-five smartphone brand to grow YoY, with shipments increasing 2% YoY, growing market share by two percentage points to 16%.
Samsung’s shipments declined by 8% YoY but grew 5% QoQ to 64 million.
Xiaomi, OPPO* and vivo, recovered slightly after receiving heavy beatings due to lockdowns in China in Q2, and as they captured more of the market ceded by Apple and Samsung’s exit from Russia.
London, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Seoul, Beijing, San Diego, Buenos Aires – October 28, 2022
The global smartphone market remained under pressure given deteriorating economic conditions with shipments declining by 12% year-on-year, reaching 301 million units in Q3 2022, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service. Ongoing international political tensions resulting in economic uncertainty hit the smartphone market even though it reversed its slide below the 300-million-mark last quarter thanks to a slight quarterly recovery in Apple and Samsung shipments.
Commenting on overall market dynamics, Senior Analyst Harmeet Singh Walia said, “Most major vendors continued experiencing annual shipment declines in the third quarter of 2022. Russia’s escalating war in Ukraine, ongoing China-US political distrust and tensions, growing inflationary pressures across regions, a growing fear of recession, and weakening national currencies all caused a further dent in consumer sentiment, hitting already weakened demand. This is also adding to a slow but sustained lengthening of smartphone replacement cycles with smartphones becoming more durable and as technology advancement slows. This is accompanying, and to a smaller degree advancing, a fall in the shipments of mid- and lower-end smartphones, even as the premium segment weathers the economic storm better. Consequently, and thanks to an earlier launch of the latest iPhone series this year, Apple emerged as the only top-five smartphone vendor to manage annual shipment growth in the quarter.”
While Samsung grew QoQ in Q3 2022 thanks to record presales of its premium fold and flip smartphones, compared with the same quarter last year, however, its shipments fell by 8% YoY. This is primarily down to dampening consumer sentiment in several of its key markets. This also affected top Chinese brands, whose shipments remained low compared with last year as they were getting rid of excess inventory and at the same time managing a slowdown in the home market, China. However, they were able to capitalise on Apple and Samsung’s exit from the Russian market, in which their share increased substantially.
Associate Director Jan Stryjak noted, “With the full force of the latest iPhone launch being felt in Q4, we expect further quarterly improvement in the coming quarter, although central banks’ attempts to control inflation will further reduce consumer demand. The channel inventory is still higher, and the OEMs will focus on getting rid of excess inventory in Q4 as well. Hence, shipments are unlikely to reach last year’s levels, let alone pre-pandemic Q4 levels of over 400 million units. Looking further ahead into 2023, we expect sluggish demand with lengthening replacement rates, especially in the first half of the year.”
*OPPO includes OnePlus from Q3 2021
Feel free to reach us at press@counterpointresearch.com for questions regarding our latest research and insights.
You can also visit our Data Section (updated quarterly) to view the smartphone market share for World, US, China and India.
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.
Taipei, London, Hong Kong, Boston, Toronto, New Delhi, Beijing, Seoul – October 25, 2022
Global PC shipments fell 15.5% YoY in Q3 2022 to reach 71.1 million units recording another wave of huge YoY declines after the severe annual and sequential falls in Q2, according to Counterpoint Research data. The Q3 2022 decline was largely due to demand weakness across both consumer and commercial markets, which was mainly driven by global inflation. Despite components shortage issues being largely resolved, OEMs and ODMs are holding a relatively conservative view on Q4 2022 and first half of 2023.
The lull in PC demand continued in the quarter despite broad promotional activities from major OEMs, especially for consumer product lines. In addition, inventory digestion processes have been activated to deal with abnormally high levels as we enter the second half of the year. Although it is the season of peak consumer device sales, PC OEMs believe the destocking process will continue into 2023. Based on our conversations with supply chain members, especially with components suppliers, the largest inventory numbers were in Q3 2022 and will likely begin to decline in coming quarters but there is uncertainty within the supply chain on when shipment growth will restart.
Global PC Inventory Accumulation Since 2022
Source: Counterpoint Research
Lack of consumer demand in the back-to-school season, shrinking enterprise purchasing due to economic uncertainty and increasing promotional events all created a drag on Average Selling Price (ASP) growth momentum and also impacted PC market revenue.
Apple reported a counter-market 7% YoY shipment growth amid muted market momentum, thanks to its new product launch in late Q2 with shipments refilled after the China lockdowns in Q2 that interrupted ODM manufacturing schedules. Meanwhile, Asus reported a 9% YoY shipment decline in the quarter, reflecting a relatively resilient performance due to its enterprise focused strategy, in line with management’s target of outperforming shipment in 2022.
Lenovo booked a 16% YoY decline, largely in-line with the global PC market, consumer demand weakness was partly offset by enterprise spending. Its 23.7% market share remains flattish compared to last year, reflecting Lenovo’s strong position efforts to cope with a shaky market.
HP took an 18% share in Q3 with 12.7 million unit shipments. This is the second quarter of lower than 20% market share by HP since 2016, largely due to its higher consumer mix, which meant it exited Q3 with a 26.5% YoY decline.
Dell also reported more than a 20% YoY shipment decline with and 17% market share. Its 12 million units were a bit higher than Q3 2020, right before Dell began to benefit from working style changes post the initial waves of COVID.
Global PC Shipment by Vendor, Q3 2022
PC market unlikely to grow until H2 2023
Overall, global PC shipments in the second half of 2022 will still be comparatively higher than the level before Covid broke out. However, Chip maker AMD claimed that PC market weakness already caused negative impacts to its results and outlook; while the management of Taiwan OEMs Acer and Asus, both shared their views that the PC industry will not recover until H2 2023.
Looking into 2023, the sky is still covered by dark clouds. We are also adjusting our 2022 shipment forecast to a 13% YoY decline on soft PC demand. Among all PC product segments, we believe Arm-based PCs and gaming PCs are poised to weather the market downturn best, with the help from Apple’s M-series offerings as well as incremental R&D efforts from chip makers and the wider ecosystem.
This year’s edition of Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA), Europe’s biggest consumer electronics show, showcased some interesting product announcements and trends that will set new standards across the consumer electronics ecosystem. New product technologies on display at the show held in Berlin from September 2 to 6 included bigger screen size OLED and Mini LED TVs, bigger and better soundbars, foldable laptops and bendable TVs, digital charging cases, and smartwatches with more features, among others.
The chief focus of the show this year revolved around major consumer electronics segments like smartphones, smart TVs, TWS, tablets, home appliances and smartwatches. Big players such as LG, Sony, Lenovo, Huawei, Asus, Jabra, Fitbit and TCL launched new and amazing products at the event to enhance user experiences. We give below the major CIoT announcements at IFA 2022:
Foldable laptops by Asus and Lenovo
Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED
Asus launched the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, a foldable laptop that has a 17” screen when expanded and a 12.5” screen when folded.
The device comes with an Asus ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad to make it easy to work with.
Once the magnetic keyboard is on screen, you can use it as a regular laptop. When expanded, it can have an expanded tablet.
The devices are equipped with a 1080p OLED display, 12th generation Intel Core i7 processors, Harman Kardon-certified quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Priced at $3,499, the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold is an expensive laptop.
The laptop will be beneficial for people who travel a lot and need a large screen, or those who work in creative fields. The device can also be used for entertainment, as it supports both Dolby Atmos and Vision.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 2022
Lenovo launched the 2022 version of its ThinkPad X1 Fold (review), an upgrade from the 2020 version. The latest version has smaller bezels, a 16.3” screen when unfolded and a 12” screen when folded.
The folding laptop comes with a 1080p OLED display and has Windows 11 OS.
The device comes with a detachable keyboard, which when attached turns the device into a 12” laptop.
The laptop is equipped with 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processors, with up to 1TB of storage and up to 32GB of RAM.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold is priced at $2,499 for the base variant and $2,999 with a keyboard and a pen.
New smartwatches, smart bands and smart glasses from leading brands
Garmin Venu Sq2 and Venu Sq2 Music
Garmin launched two new smartwatches — Venu Sq2 and Venu Sq2 Music edition.
Both the smartwatches come with a 1.41” AMOLED screen, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 5ATM water resistance and support for both Android and iOS.
They also support contactless payments through Garmin Pay and have smart notifications for text, email and other alerts.
Both have the Health Snapshot feature which lets users have a two-minute session and record health metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen level, respiration, and stress.
The Venu Sq2 is priced at $249.99, whereas the Venu Sq2 Music is priced at $299.99.
The Venu Sq2 Music offers built-in storage for offline music playback from streaming services. It can store up to 500 songs.
Both smartwatches are compact and lightweight. They are among the best in terms of features and come in a low price range.
Huawei Watch D
Huawei launched the Watch D, already launched for the Chinese market earlier this year.
The watch comes with IP68 certification, AMOLED display and over 70 sports modes with a battery life of around seven days.
The Watch D has advanced health monitoring features, such as blood pressure, ECG, skin temperature and blood oxygen tracking.
The Watch D will be priced at €449 in Europe.
The Watch D is more expensive than its competitors, but with additional health features, it could stand out.
Fitbit Inspire 3, Versa 4 and Sense 2
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a smartwatch thinner and lighter than the Versa 3. It also has a tactile button, making it easier to operate. The Versa 4 will have a revamped Fitbit OS with Google Wallet, and Google Maps with turn-by-turn directions. The watch has 40 sports modes, and Sleep Profile to analyze sleep.
The Fitbit Sense 2 is a lighter and thinner version of the Sense series. It has continuous EDA (cEDA), which measures skin perspiration response and signs of stress, and is used in conjunction with the Heart Rate Sensor.
The Inspire 3 smart band is Fitbit’s entry-level and lowest-cost device. It has a color display, blood oxygen monitor and Fitbit features such as Active Zone Minutes and sleep tracking, and supports 10 days of battery life.
It has an improved display and newer features. The mechanical button offers improved functionality. The Inspire 3 will offer more choices to the consumer in the entry-level smart band market.
Amazfit GTR 4, GTS 4 and GTS 4 Mini
Amazfit launched the GTR 4 and GTS 4 smartwatches.
The GTR 4 features a 1.43” AMOLED screen, whereas the GTS 4 has a 1.75” AMOLED screen. Both the watches are 5ATM resistant and feature 150+ sports modes.
Both the smartwatches have a new feature called BioTracker 4.0 optical sensor, which offers improved heart rate tracking, and an upgraded GPS for more accurate route tracking. Besides, they have more than 150 sports modes and can be connected via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Both the GTR 4 and GTS 4 are priced at €199.
Amazfit also launched the GTS 4 Mini, a smaller and cheaper version of the GTS 4. The GTS 4 Mini has a 1.65” AMOLED display, 120+ sports modes, and health and fitness tracking capabilities, such as heart rate and SpO2. The watch is priced at €99.
The GTR 4 and GTS 4 have a dual-band GPS antenna which improves the route tracking capability. Besides, the two have features like fall detection and offline voice assistant that will attract users.
TCL NXTWEAR S
TCL launched the NXTWEAR S smart glasses which offer enhanced comfort and conveniences. The smart glasses have a dual 1080p Micro OLED display, front and correction lenses.
The wheel on the left temple can be used to adjust volume, whereas the one on the right can be used to adjust brightness and 2D/3D mode switch.
The NXTWEAR S will be available from Q4 2022 in selected regions.
Lenovo Glasses T1
Lenovo launched the T1 smart glasses, which let users connect devices like PCs, tablets and smartphones with USB C and watch content on a bigger screen. The glasses have a Micro OLED display, swappable noise clips, adjustable arms, and support prescription lenses.
The glasses have 1920X1080 resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and are TUV Low Blue Light certified to reduce strain on the eyes. The glasses also have inbuilt speakers.
TWS category saw some interesting launches
Jabra Elite 5
Jabra launched the Elite 5, a mid-range offering and placed between the Elite 3 and Elite 7 Pro.
The Elite 5 features hybrid noise cancellation and is powered by the Qualcomm QCC3050 chipset. It also has an IP55 rating, 6mm drivers and support for Google Assistant and Alexa. Other features include the 6-mic call and wind-noise suppression technologies for a better call experience.
Another interesting feature is Spotify Tap Playback, which allows users to launch Spotify and pick up from where they left off with a single button press.
The Jabra Elite 5 is priced and £149.
JBL Tour PRO 2
JBL launched the Tour PRO 2, a TWS with the world’s first charging case having a touchscreen display.
The case features a 1.45” LED touchscreen to manage music, customize earbuds, receive calls and manage notifications. The TWS features a 10mm driver, ANC and JBL Spatial Sound.
The Tour PRO 2 comes with a 10mm audio driver and is Bluetooth 5.3 compatible. It lasts 10 hours, and 40 hours with the case.
The charging case is the first of its kind in the industry. It lets users control most of the functionalities of the case, instead of touching their smartphones.
The JBP Tour PRO 2 is priced at €249.
Tablets saw new models from leading brands
HONOR Pad 8
HONOR launched the Pad 8. It has a 12” 2K display and runs on Android 12.
The tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 680 4G, 7250mAh battery and a Type-C port.
The device makes it possible to operate phone and tablet on the same screen. The smart multi-view feature allows up to four windows at the same time.
Huawei MatePad Pro 11
Huawei launched its newest tablet, the MatePad Pro 11. The tablet has an 11” OLED display with120Hz refresh rate and 2560×1600 resolution. It also features Huawei Pencil, Huawei Notes and multitasking.
The tablet has six speakers and four mics, a dual rear camera with a 13MP main camera and an 8MP wide-angle camera, and a 16MP front camera.
The MatePad Pro 11 will run on HarmonyOS 3, with a configuration of 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.
The tablet is priced at €649. Early-bird offers include free Huawei M-Pencil Elegant Edition and a folio cover.
Nokia T21
Nokia launched its newest tablet, the Nokia T21, at IFA 2022. The tablet has a 10.4” 2K display with a 60Hz refresh rate. It has 128GB of internal storage which can be expanded to 512GB. The rear and front cameras are 8MP.
The tablet comes with two years of Android updates and three years of security updates.
The Nokia T21 is a compact size tab that will attract those looking for a smaller-screen device.
Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) and P11 Pro (2nd Gen)
Lenovo launched two new tabs at IFA 2022 — P11 (2nd Gen) and P11 Pro (2nd Gen).
The P11 Pro (2nd Gen) is an 11.2” OLED display tab with 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support. The P11 Pro comes with a detachable keyboard with a built-in trackpad, and an optional Lenovo Precision Pen 3. The tab has quad JBL speakers and Dolby Atmos.
The P11 (2nd Gen) is an 11.5” 2K display tab with a 120Hz refresh rate. The tab has quad speakers with Dolby Atmos. Along with the tab are available optional Lenovo Precision Pen 3 and keyboard pack.
The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen) is priced at €499, whereas the Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) is priced at €299.
Smart TVs saw bigger OLED/Mini-LED displays and bendable TVs
LG OLED Flex and LG OLED evo Gallery Edition 97”
LG launched the OLED Flex, a 42” OLED TV and the world’s first bendable OLED display, which can be bent from a flat to a curved screen using a button on the remote.
LG is targeting the gaming segment with this TV, as curved screens are more suitable for gaming. The TV has a host of features for gamers, such as Dolby Vision support, 4K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate, variable refresh rate, and ultra-low latency mode.
LG also launched the world’s first OLED TV with a 97” display. The TV will be a part of its C2 series.
TCL Mini LED TVs
TCL launched the EISA Premium-awarded Mini LED TV C835 series, a 4K Mini LED TV with Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience, and the EISA Best Buy-awarded QLED TV C735 series with 144Hz refresh rate for a better viewing experience.
TCL also launched the C935 series, a premium Mini LED series with 1,920 local dimming zones and 2.1.2 channel up-firing speakers.
The company also launched the world’s largest Mini LED TV at 98”.
The new offerings from TCL will help it to increase its share in the Mini LED segment and offer more choices to consumers.
Toshiba QA5D, UF3D and UK4D
Toshiba launched QLED TV sets and TVs with Fire TV at IFA 2022.
The QA5D series is Toshiba’s first QLED TV series, offering better picture quality. The TVs have Toshiba’s TRU Picture Engine technologies, which offer enhanced picture quality. The TVs also have Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision and run on Android.
The UF3D series is Toshiba’s first with Fire TV in the UK and is ideal for someone who prefers Alexa. The series also has Toshiba’s TRU Picture Engine, Dolby Vision and Atmos.
The UK4D series is powered by Toshiba’s own operating system, and also comes with Alexa. The series has frameless models. It also supports Toshiba’s TRU Picture Engine and Dolby Atmos and Vision.
Toshiba also announced that models launched in 2019 would have the TikTok TV app, giving more entertainment choices to the consumers.
Other notable product launches
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook: Lenovo also launched the IdeaPad 5i Chromebook, a 16” Chromebook with 2.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, giving a smooth scrolling and video-viewing experience to the user.
TECNO Megabook T1: TECNO launched its first laptop at IFA 2022, the Megabook T1. It is an ultra-thin laptop that is 14.8 mm thick with a 15.6” display and weighs 1.48 kg. The entire body is made of aluminum and has a fingerprint sensor over the power button. The device has a 70wh battery supporting up to 17.5 hours, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
LG launched the MoodUP refrigerator with color-changing LED door panels. With the LG ThinQ app, users can choose from 22 colors for the upper door panel and 19 colors for the lower door panel. The refrigerator also has a Bluetooth speaker.
B&O launched the Beosound Theatre soundbar. It has 12 drivers and 800W of power and supports 7.1.4 Channel Dolby Atmos. The Beosound Theatre has a new three-dimensional sound directivity, which is a combination of direct, side- and up-firing speakers. Besides, the soundbar can be wall-mounted or floor-standing.
JBL launched the Bar 1000, a 7.1.4 Channel Dolby Atmos-supported soundbar and wireless subwoofer. The Bar 1000 has two battery-powered detachable speakers which work in concert with four upward-firing speakers attached to the sound system.
Sennheiser unveiled the AMBEO Soundbar Plus, a compact and affordable version of the AMBEO Soundbar Max. It is a 7.1.4 Channel system, has nine drivers, with two upward-firing ones, and supports Dolby Atmos.
Conclusion
The focus of the tech companies was on improving customer experience. The new products offer various new features, such as bendable and foldable displays in TVs and laptops, enhanced health trackers in smartwatches, expanding choices in tablets and Chromebook, and a better audio experience with new soundbars. Home appliances are becoming more connected, and visually appealing to soothe the people and the environment.
In the wearables segment, there has been an increased focus on health-related aspects. The new launches in smartwatches and smart bands at IFA 2022 bring more health-related features. Also, the inclusion of new AI capabilities to measure health more accurately in real-time is likely to provide a boost to this segment.
Taipei, London, Hong Kong, Boston, Toronto, New Delhi, Beijing, Seoul – July 27, 2022
Global PC shipments fell 11.1% YoY in Q2 2022 to reach 71.2 million units and record the largest YoY decline since Q2 2013, according to Counterpoint data. The Q2 2022 decline was largely due to lockdowns in China’s Shanghai and Kunshan, which hit the PC supply chain. However, as the OEMs’ inventory continues to accumulate amid lackluster consumer demand globally, we believe supply issues will likely get resolved in the second half of this year.
Diminishing YoY PC Shipment Growth Since Q1 2021
Source: Counterpoint Research
The macroeconomic turbulence continues to impact worldwide consumption momentum. Regional conflicts as well as global inflation have resulted in a downward sloping demand and consumer spending. Enterprises too are putting off their new purchases and device upgrades, though the orders from the commercial segment have remained more solid compared to the consumer segment. By region, the US and EU experienced relatively huge double-digit YoY declines in their Q2 2022 shipments, mainly dragged by Chromebook demand correction and soft consumer demand, as these regions had started seeing shipment growth ahead of other regions last year.
On the other hand, lockdowns in China during the quarter hit hard the laptop supply chain, as major laptop ODMs, including Quanta, Compal and Wistron, suffered manufacturing disruptions. The most harmful impacts were in April and May when we saw approximately 40% and 20% YoY declines respectively for key ODMs. Production lines resumed normal operations in the second half of May and were trying to clear order backlogs.
Major Laptop ODMs’ Inventory Levels (in $ mn)
Source: Counterpoint Research
Even though the top three brands showed a YoY decline in Q2 shipments, they all managed to keep their rankings unchanged. Lenovo maintained its leadership in the global PC market with a 24.4% share in Q2 2022. The brand’s total shipments fell 12.7% YoY to 17.4 million units mainly due to weak consumer demand, partly offset by moderate commercial orders.
HP suffered the most among the top brands in Q2 2022, reporting a 27% YoY decline in shipments from a high base last year. The sharp decline was mainly due to soft momentum for consumer products and Chromebooks. On the other hand, Dell had the smallest adjustment to its YoY shipment performance, thanks to a commercial/premium-focused product strategy.
Acer saw a 14.8% YoY shipment decline off a relatively high base in Q2 2021. Despite Chromebook weakness continuing to cap Acer’s growth momentum, its market exposure in entry- to mainstream-level laptops helped the brand take fourth place in global PC shipments in Q2 2022.
Apple reported a sharp decline of 20% YoY in its Q2 shipments largely due to supply chain disruption at Quanta’s manufacturing lines in China. The consumers too were waiting for a new MacBook series equipped with M2 chips. As a result, the company lost its fourth place in the global PC rankings for Q2 2022.
Asus’ Q2 shipments were down 7.7% YoY thanks to its commercial segment focus in recent quarters combined with consumer spending weakness entering 2022. The brand’s total shipments of 4.7 million made it share the fifth position with Apple in Q2 2022.
Global PC Shipments by Vendor, Q2 2022
More shipment adjustments seen
We had cut our 2022 shipment forecast in Q1 2022 to reflect the beginning of a weakening PC demand. But with persistent inflation pressure and enterprise spending saturating, we expect order adjustments to continue even as the average selling price plateaus on easing supply constraints. Therefore, we are revising our forecast for the 2022 PC shipments to a 9% YoY decline, with potential bright spots of new M2 MacBooks and desktop demand rebounding after the post-COVID-19 reopening of offices.
Following the success of its Yoga and Legion gaming laptops, Lenovo India has launched a new range of laptops with a faster processor, beautiful display, powerful battery backup and smoother user experience. Lenovo India recorded $2.2 billion in revenues for FY 2021-22. It has been able to achieve 100% local assembly for its smartphones, PC and notebooks.
According to Counterpoint Research’s PC, Laptop and Desktop Tracker, 2021,Lenovo is the undisputed leader in the global shipments of these devices. As a market leader, Lenovo wants to bring the latest technology to its users and adapt to their expectations to offer a great set of devices to acquire more users.
Lenovo India’s Director of Consumer Business Dinesh Nair said, “Our new range of Legion gaming laptops brings the unyielding play to gamers across generations. Our range of Yoga laptops is packed with pure performance with powerful mobility, improved ergonomics, durable style and enhanced features. It is time for gamers and content creators to be at the pinnacle of their performance.”
Yoga – The beautiful laptop
Lenovo’s Yoga series offers three brand new laptops – 7i, 7i Pro and 9i – with a starting price of INR 106,990 (~$1,340). The Yoga 9i has a glass-based palm-rest design to offer a more premium experience along with rounded edges to improve ergonomics. The Yoga series incorporates AI software to assist users to improve performance, reduce boot time and enable easy login. The stunning OLED display (called Puresight Display by Lenovo) offered on the 9i and 7i looks beautiful with a 16:10 screen ratio, 90 Hz refresh rate and better color contrast compared to conventional IPS LCD panels.
IdeaPad – The one for the first-timers
The IdeaPad Gaming 3i laptop has been launched at INR 84,990 (~$1,060), putting it in the budget gaming laptop category. It comes in two colors – black and white. The laptop can handle all types of games and can be a good companion for content creators looking for a budget-friendly performance laptop.
Legion – The cool yet powerful gaming laptop
The Legion series offers three new laptops starting at INR 144,990(~$1,815). They offer blazing fast experience, bigger battery backup and a nicely lit RGB keyboard. The laptops are powered by the latest NVIDIA RTX series GPU coupled with Intel 12 series high-performance processors. The laptops are designed with Coldfront 4.0 technology to offer better heat dissipation with a maximum of 185 W of thermal dissipation for the Legion 5i Pro. The Legion Slim 7i offers a massive 99.99Wh battery, which is the maximum permissible international limit for a battery to be on a flight. The laptops come with a fast charger that charges up to 80% in 30 minutes. The Legion series comes with exclusive 24*7 chat support and next business day repair support.
Laptops are built for all, not just gamers
In a conversation, Lenovo’s APAC Gaming Lead Ian Tan said, “The Legion series is perfect for gaming, 3D designing and modeling, video editing and other leisure activities. The laptops are designed to maximize use cases for a user and offer a wholesome experience.”
According to Lenovo, India is home to approximately 500 million gamers, which translates into a huge opportunity for the brand in the coming years. All the laptops are preloaded with a three-month Xbox game pass, which enables users to download over 100 PC games for free for three months. The brand is looking to scale up local manufacturing to bring down the cost of entry for its premium products. It is also working on reducing its carbon footprint with an aim to have zero emissions by 2025.
Are the laptops ready to face the battle?
The laptops launched at the event offer great computing powers but at a high price. Although they offer top-notch specifications at a price point slightly lower than their competitors, they still fall under the super-premium category of laptops (>INR 100,000/>$1250), which have a lower user base currently. The pricing includes comprehensive after-sales support and a warranty with accidental damage coverage, which is a great add-on. However, going forward, with the local manufacturing improvement, we can expect a lower entry price point for such devices.
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