The performance of portable players in the UK is mainly driven by the performance of wireless speakers, as it is the largest and fastest growing product in this category. Consumer interest is being driven by premium features as well as the integration of AI, positively affecting volume sales in 2025. As consumers are looking for convenience in many parts of their everyday lives, wireless speakers are being used to upgrade their homes. Voice assistants, such as Alexa or Google Assistant, allows u

In 2025, portable players in the US is experiencing one of its sharpest declines in recent years, with volume sales falling sharply. The contraction is consistent across all major subcategories - e-readers, wireless speakers and other portable media players - as consumer preferences continues to consolidate around multifunctional devices such as smartphones and tablets. Despite the steep decline in volumes, portable players is recording a relatively small drop in value sales, cushioned by rising

Volume sales of portable players in South Africa rose in 2025, driven almost entirely by the sustained growth and popularity of wireless speakers, the most dynamic category. These devices benefit from being portable while offering improved sound quality and longer battery life. The unreliable electricity supply within South Africa has further reinforced the popularity of wireless speakers. This has encouraged consumers to invest in audio solutions that do not rely on constant power and can easil

In 2025, portable players in the Philippines demonstrated significant growth, with retail volume sales increasing by 6% to reach 142,000 units. This expansion was primarily driven by the dynamic performance of wireless speakers, which continued to be the dominant force in the category. Retail volume sales of wireless speakers rose by 7% to total 135,000 units in 2025, as these devices have evolved from basic portable devices to essential components of home audio systems. Local consumers are attr

Volume sales of portable players in Canada are set to increase in 2025, supported by shifting consumer preferences, advances in wireless technology, and rising demand for high-quality sound systems. The adoption of voice-controlled devices and AI-driven audio features is also contributing to market expansion.

Volume sales of portable players are seeing a positive performance in Turkey in 2025. E-readers is seeing particularly robust growth, and wireless speakers is also faring well.

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in Saudi Arabia rose by 6% to reach 2.4 million units, driven significantly by the increasing popularity of wireless speakers. This growth reflected global trends but was also deeply influenced by local consumer preferences, spending patterns, and technological advancements. The demand for wireless speakers surged as consumers developed a greater appreciation for high-quality audio experiences and the convenience of wireless connectivity, aligning

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in China experienced a significant decline, falling by 16% to 20 million units. Although all categories saw declining sales, this reduction was mainly attributed to the largest category, wireless speakers. Smart speakers in particular faced substantial criticism for their weak voice interaction capabilities and limited AI utility. Many devices struggled with multi-step commands and complex queries, leading to user frustration and reducing their pr

Volume sales of portable players in Romania increased in 2025. Despite the introduction of new austerity measures, Romanians continued to adopt a cautious approach to spending. Wireless speakers remained the main growth driver for the category, while portable media players and e-readers continued to post declining volume sales, largely due to cannibalisation by smartphones. For both financial and convenience reasons, consumers increasingly rely on their smartphones for all types of media consump

In 2025, volume sales of overall portable players in Ukraine are rising, though the category continues to struggle in line with global patterns. Smartphones now deliver every core function these devices once offered - seamless music playback, access to streaming platforms, extensive storage and Bluetooth audio - so, for most Ukrainian consumers, especially younger listeners, a dedicated portable player no longer makes practical sense. A tougher economic environment further nudges buyers towards

In Sweden, volume sales of portable players are expected to decline in 2025. This decrease is mainly due to market saturation and the replacement of task-specific devices, like e-readers, with multifunctional alternatives such as smartphones, tablets, and, to a lesser extent, laptops.

Retail volume sales of portable players are set to increase in Isreal in 2025. As in 2024, wireless speakers continue to see increasing sales throughout 2025, remaining very popular. These speakers are convenient for outdoor use, such as barbecues or days at the beach with friends. The Bluetooth connection is highly convenient, as is the integrated voice activation and control feature available in many products. There is also a wide range of wireless speakers to choose from, varying in shape, si

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in Mexico increased by 11%, reaching 5.4 million units. This growth was primarily driven by strong demand for wireless speakers, which accounted for the majority of sales. Despite a significant decline in portable media players, wireless speakers continued to thrive, as Mexican consumers appreciate their portability and versatility, allowing them to enjoy music in various settings, from home to outdoor events and travel. Key features such as water

Retail volume sales of portable players in Portugal continued to grow in 2025, supported primarily by the strong performance of wireless speakers and renewed interest in e-readers. Wireless speakers, while moving closer to maturity, maintained positive momentum thanks to their convenience, wide range of price points, and continuous product launches. Segments designed for parties and events continued to stand out, attracting consumers looking for portable yet powerful sound solutions. E-readers,

Volume sales of portable players are set to increase in Poland in 2025, though this modest growth masks a clear divergence within the category. Traditional portable media players continue to decline sharply, as consumers increasingly use smartphones for on-the-go music and video playback. In contrast, wireless speakers, particularly smart models, are seeing steady growth, fuelled by demand for flexible audio solutions and integration with smart-home ecosystems. These devices appeal to consumers

Portable players is seeing robust volume growth in Nigeria in 2025, driven by the popularity of wireless speakers. While technological advancements in other consumer electronics—particularly smartphones—have negatively impacted the sales of portable media players overall, the growing popularity of budget-friendly wireless speakers is helping boost category sales. Amidst low consumer purchasing power, these affordable wireless audio solutions offer a practical and appealing alternative, supportin

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in Italy marginally fell to total 4.2 million units, continuing a downward trend observed over much of the review period. The decline, albeit at a slower pace compared to the previous year, was primarily driven by the perception among local consumers that several products within this category, such as portable media players, were becoming obsolete. E-readers, in particular, saw a significant drop in sales, as the overall share of Italians reading

Retail volume sales of portable players in France marginally increased in 2025 to reach 5.7 million units, but this modest growth masked significant challenges within the category. E-readers continued their structural decline, as consumers increasingly opted to read e-books on multifunctional devices such as smartphones, using apps such as Apple Books, which rendered dedicated e-readers superfluous. Portable media players experienced extreme, double-digit declines, driven by fierce competition f

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in Thailand increased by 9% to reach 240,000 units. Despite the widespread adoption of smartphones and the growing popularity of streaming services, which rendered many types of dedicated portable audio players redundant for many Thai consumers, the category still experienced growth. This was primarily due to burgeoning demand for wireless speakers and other smartphone accessories, which offered seamless integration with existing devices and high-

Portable players continues to struggle with volume sales nosediving over 2025 in all categories except for wireless speakers which has continued to see healthy growth. Many products within portable players are disappearing from the market as consumers increasingly use their smartphones or other wireless devices instead of more traditional products.

Volume sales of portable players will increase in Argentina in 2025, marking a notable exception to the widespread decline seen across most categories within consumer electronics. While the effects of the economic downturn and persistently high inflation are negatively impacting many segments, portable players remain relatively resilient.

Volume sales of portable players are achieving small positive growth in Hungary in 2025, attributed mainly to the rising popularity of wireless speakers. On the other hand, products such as e-readers continue to lose interest, due to the same function being available in multi-functional smartphones and tablets, and portable media players are negligible following steep declines over the past years.

In 2025, volume sales of portable players continue to fall in Japan, with only e-readers posting positive growth. Previously popular devices such as the Walkman and older iPod models, also known as digital audio players (DAPs), were the domain of core music enthusiasts. The shift is hardly surprising given the advancements in smartphone technology, which now allow for easy music portability and access. Moreover, the prevalent trend has moved towards streaming music on-demand via the internet rat

Retail volume sales of portable players increased by 6% in 2025, reaching 187,000 units. This growth can be attributed to the enduring popularity of wireless speakers, which was the largest and best-performing category in 2025, with retail volume sales growing by 9% to 161,000 units. These devices continued to appeal to consumers for their convenience and ease of use. Consumers were attracted to features such as longer battery life, new technologies, and fashionable new colours. Some consumers a