According to ABI Research smartphones will be the driver for the global 2012 aftermarket mobile accessory market-- making $20 billion (out of a total of $36BN) thanks to smartphone owners spending more on accessories.
The analyst says feature phone customers will spend an average of $28.17 on accessories per device, while smartphone customers will spend $56.18. How come? A combination of accessories costing more while customers buying more accessories for smartphones.
ABI Research says smartphone accessory revenues will grow to $38BN by 2017, while feature phone accessories will decline to $12BN.
However customers will have increasing expectations for their purchases-- "accessories must focus on delivering tighter integration with smartphone functionality and features offering a more intelligent accessory product or smart accessory,” the analyst concludes.
