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

Retail volume sales of portable media players in Chile fell by 5% in 2025 to total 189,000 units, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. This downward trend was primarily driven by the continued replacement of portable media players with devices offering superior functionality, such as smartphones. The decline was most pronounced in portable multimedia players, which had faced double-digit annual decreases for over a decade, rendering them largely obsolete and confining their use to a n

Retail volume sales of portable players are set to decline in Greece in 2025. The category is seen as outdated and lagging behind other product areas in terms of developments. Product variety and availability is also decreasing. Bluetooth portable speakers is the only category that continues to post an increase in volume sales in portable players. Growth, however, is starting to slow down due to maturity, with the increase in volume set to be slower in 2025 than in 2024. In value terms the categ

Volume sales of portable players in the Czech Republic are set to increase in 2025, marking a positive shift for a category that has been under pressure from rapid technological change and multifunctional smart devices. Growth is being driven primarily by wireless speakers and e-readers, while other portable media player segments continue to decline due to limited innovation and growing obsolescence.

Volume sales of portable players are rising in the UAE in 2025. Growth is being driven entirely by wireless speakers, which continues to perform well as local consumers invest in audio solutions for homes, gatherings and on-the-go use. Their portability, modern design and affordable price points made them a top choice among young adults and families.

Retail volume sales of portable players decreased in Demark in 2025, reflecting the maturity of wireless speakers due to their rapid adoption during the review period.

Portable players continues to see positive growth in Colombia in 2025, with wireless speakers as the largest and fastest-rising subcategory – the only member of overall portable players to be expanding. Other products like e-readers and portable media players are still in steep decline due to their low popularity among Colombians, who have replaced them with smartphones and tablets which allow different activities like streaming music and series – especially appealing as lifestyles become more h

In 2025, volume sales of portable players in Egypt increased as local consumers increasingly prefer the convenience and portability of wireless speakers, which are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Additionally, the stabilisation of the local currency enabled the Egyptian government to resume importing non-essential goods such as wireless speakers, resulting in a wider selection of models being available at reasonable prices. Technological advances, including waterproof designs, improved

2025 has been a tough year for portable players with the category posting a sharp decline in retail volume terms. The drop in sales reflects the maturity of wireless speakers, and the lack of new technology in e-readers and other portable media players with the lack innovation meaning there is less incentive for consumers to invest in these products. Additionally, like many consumer electronics, sales have also suffered from these products being replaced by smartphones with young people in parti

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in Singapore increased by 12% to reach 347,000 units. This growth was primarily driven by wireless speakers, which have evolved to serve as essential home audio solutions beyond their original portable use case. The convenience of pairing these devices with smartphones, combined with their increasingly sophisticated sound quality, has made them a popular choice among consumers. Many Singaporeans invest in wireless speakers for personal entertainme

Portable players in South Korea is expected to grow modestly in 2025, following several years of stagnation. This uptick is largely attributed to the steady performance of wireless speakers, which account for the majority of this product category. In 2025, wireless speakers is anticipated to witnessed slight growth, closely mirroring the broader category trends. The return to positive growth reflects a recovery in consumer demand for secondary, flexible audio devices that complement smartphones

In 2025, portable players in Spain experienced divergent trends, with retail volume sales increasing by 2% to total 1.7 million units. Growth was mainly fuelled by wireless speakers, which flourished due to the availability of affordable smart-enabled models and a wide range of high-fidelity audio options. Notable product launches, such as the JBL Flip 7, praised for its durability and sound clarity, and the Bang & Olufsen Beosound a1 (3rd Gen), featuring premium acoustics and a compact, waterpr

Volume sales of portable players are set to rise in the Netherlands in 2025, driven almost entirely by the strong and sustained demand for wireless speakers. This is the only subcategory within portable players showing positive momentum, while others, including e-readers and portable media players, will continue to decline in volume terms.

Portable players in India is set to continue to experience growth in both retail volume and current value terms in 2024, entirely fuelled by sales of wireless speakers. Wireless speakers overwhelmingly dominates portable players, benefiting from technological advances, and new brands entering the market in the last few years, such as US-based Tivoli Audio, and Sweden-based Audio Pro, as well as evolving consumer lifestyles. The seamless connectivity, portability, and wireless capability of these

Portable players saw significant retail volume and current value growth in Brazil in 2023, and this trend is set to continue in 2024. Wireless speakers is the overwhelmingly dominant category within portable players, and also continues to drive growth, set to maintain solid retail volume growth and impressive double-digit current value growth in 2024. Volume growth remains somewhat slower due to the expanding price range in this category. Wireless speakers have become ubiquitous, used by consume

The retail volume growth rate of portable players in Germany is set to increase in 2024. This is not only due to continued steady growth for wireless speakers, which makes up the vast majority of this category, but also because e-readers is expected to experience a boom in this year.

Wireless speakers continued to drive growth in portable players in Taiwan in 2024. Compact, portable and affordable, and compatible with “on-the-go” lifestyles and other devices, wireless speakers are rapidly growing in popularity among local consumers. Wireless speakers allow consumers to experience high-quality audio through connection with their mobile phones, laptops and tablet, especially when built-in speakers are unsatisfactory. Growth in wireless speakers has also been driven by the grow

Demand for portable players in Hong Kong continues to rise in 2024, albeit at a slower rate compared to the previous year following the removal of pandemic restrictions, which led to more frequent social gatherings and greater mobility outside of the home. Wireless speakers remains the driving force behind the category’s overall performance, supported by local consumers enjoying time together socialising in public spaces.

Portable players is set to see volume sales increase in Israel in 2024 driven by wireless speakers. In keeping with its results throughout the review period, the wireless speakers category is set to see volume growth in 2024. It continues to benefit from the increasing consumer preference for streaming music and other audio content via smartphones and computers. Additionally, more Israelis are now choosing to combine one or more of these devices with smart TVs and monitors to create an immersive