Annual Bluetooth device shipments are expected to reach 7.6 billion units by 2027.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a non-profit organization that manages and oversees the Bluetooth® technology standard, recently released an update on Bluetooth® market trends for 2023.

This report covers the future growth of LE Audio and Auracast™ Broadcast Audio, which were launched in July of last year, and forecasts for the transition from Bluetooth Classic Audio to LE Audio.

It also covers the introduction of global standards for wireless electronic shelf labels (ESL) and emerging markets such as ambient IoT, which has a total market size of 10 trillion units.

The pandemic has driven up demand for PC accessories, with the proportion of remote work increasing by about 44% over the past five years. Growing health awareness has also led to a noticeable increase in demand for wearable devices such as wellness trackers.

Annual shipments of Bluetooth-enabled devices are expected to exceed 7.6 billion units by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9% over the next five years.

Based on 20 years of innovation, Bluetooth LE Audio, launched in July of last year, is a breakthrough in the field of solutions provided by Bluetooth. It provides improved features for audio streaming, which accounts for the largest portion.

LE Audio also introduced Auracast™ Broadcast Audio, a new feature that allows an audio source device to broadcast one or more audio streams to an unlimited number of audio sink devices. Auracast™ Broadcast Audio opens up new opportunities, including enabling personal and location-based audio sharing.

Auracast™ Broadcast Audio is expected to be available in over 2.5 million locations globally by 2030, which will directly impact the adoption of LE Audio devices.

The introduction of a wireless standard for the Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) market is expected to usher in a new era of digital retail innovation, powered by Bluetooth® technology, aimed at delivering enhanced experiences for both stores and consumers.

Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) will enable accurate pricing at all times, facilitate real-time promotion and product information management, and deliver a more efficient and cohesive omnichannel experience. It is projected that 334 million Bluetooth ESL devices will ship by 2027.

The emergence of a new type of extremely inexpensive tag has enabled a whole new category of Bluetooth® tracking solutions called Ambient IoT. Ambient IoT solutions targeting over 10 trillion devices across various industries are expected to significantly improve supply chains, focusing on building high-speed chains that support products with near-expiration dates, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and returnable assets.

“The Bluetooth SIG member community is dedicated to improving the capabilities of Bluetooth® technology and shaping new market trends,” said Mark Powell, CEO of Bluetooth SIG. “The 2023 Bluetooth® Market Update reflects the tireless efforts of the many Bluetooth SIG members who are developing innovative technologies to create a more connected world.”