Mobile electronics are poised to lead the consumer electronics category, researchers at In-Stat say, mirroring the same forecast made recently by the Consumer Electronics Association (News - Alert), which says mobile devices now are the single largest category of all consumer electronics, by retail sales value.

 

Though the weak economy has had impact across most consumer markets, even that obstacle has not halted a broader migration to use of mobile and portable devices, as indicated by the proliferation of portable electronics categories.

 

Portable electronics device shipments will grow more than 10 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, In-Stat (News - Alert) says.

 

The mobile category, which includes digital radio receivers, e-readers, edutainment toys, handheld game consoles, MP3 players, portable media players and personal navigation devices,  grew to 400 million-plus units in 2009, In-Stat notes.

 

By 2013, mobile product sales will approach 600 million units. Though a few categories, such as handheld game consoles and MP3 players, have hit maturity and peaked, other segments are earlier in their adoption cycles, such as smartphones and e-book readers.

 

“We’re seeing significant growth in the e-reader segment, as it evolves from a nascent market,” said Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst. “And while MP3 players have peaked, this represents more of a migration to video-capable devices, as shipments of PMPs continue to expand.”

 

Shipments of portable entertainment devices in Europe will be 157 million units in 2013, while shipments to Japan will be 58 million.

 

Worldwide unit shipments for PNDs will reach approximately 56 million units in 2012, In-Stat forecasts.

 

Worldwide e-reader shipments are expected to grow from almost one million units in 2008 to nearly 30 million units in 2013, In-Stat projects.