What They Say
Strategy Analytics (SA) said that users are switching to display-based smart speakers, or Smart Displays. An increase from 22% to 26% in share was part of the reason for an increase in smart speaker sales year on year of 3% overall. Smart Display sales were 9.5 million in Q3.
Amazon and Baidu lead the market for smart displays; the best-selling devices in Q3 were the Amazon Echo Show 5 and the Baidu Xiaodu Zaijia 1c. A growing range of smart display apps and services as well as lower device prices are key factors in their success, said SA.
In the overall smart speaker market, Amazon retained first place in Q3 with a 28.8% share of global shipments, although its sales fell slightly compared to a year earlier. Amazon’s main rivals all increased sales and market share, with the exception of Xiaomi, which had a disappointing quarter. The 2020 smart speaker market was badly hit in Q1 by pandemic-driven supply issues, but has steadily recovered since then. Q4 is expected to be a strong period following the launch of new models by the three major US vendors and continued improvement in economic and consumer sentiment in many countries.
What We Think
By our calculations, the numbers put out make the overall market for smart speakers around 36.5 million. I’m not surprised that Amazon is selling a lot of the Echo Show 5. When I checked the price on Amazon in the UK, it is just £39.99 ($40 before tax) as part of the Black Friday offers. I was very tempted to get one! The display is a 5.5″ unit with 960 x 480p resolution. There is an 8″ and a 10.1″ with 1280 x 800p resolution, and they are both well priced, as well. (BR)
