Core Insights - The global ear-worn device market is projected to ship 170 million units in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.8%, with open-type products accounting for 10.1% of shipments and experiencing a significant growth of 61.1% [1] Group 1: Market Overview - Open-type products primarily consist of neck-mounted, ear-clip, and ear-hook styles, with ear-clip products emerging as the fastest-growing category, achieving a shipment share of 41.6% and a year-on-year growth of 89.3% in the first half of 2025 [3] - Ear-hook products, while established earlier, have seen a year-on-year growth of 78.9% due to their comfort and stability, while neck-mounted products, mainly utilizing bone conduction technology, have a more stable market presence with a growth of 6.0% [3] Group 2: Regional Insights - China and the United States dominate the global open-type market, accounting for over 80% of shipments, with rapid development also observed in the Asia-Pacific and Western European markets as product maturity and user acceptance increase [5] - Chinese manufacturers, such as Huawei and Soundcore, are leading the market, with Huawei setting trends in the ear-clip segment and韶音 holding a dominant position in the global bone conduction and ear-hook markets [5] Group 3: Market Characteristics - The open-type market is characterized by a diverse player landscape, with China being the core market driving global growth, and more Chinese audio manufacturers expected to expand overseas leveraging supply chain and R&D advantages [7] - The ear-clip and ear-hook products are developing concurrently in overseas markets, with ear-hook products favored by sports enthusiasts for their secure fit, while ear-clip products attract users in daily commuting and office settings [7] - The market exhibits a two-tier development structure, with products priced below $50 targeting entry-level consumers and those above $100 focusing on advanced technology and premium materials for high-end users, providing clear entry points for new manufacturers [7] Group 4: Future Outlook - IDC's China Research Director, Pan Xuefei, indicates that open-type headphones have evolved into a significant growth engine within the ear-worn market, with the Chinese market leading the charge and establishing a foundation for scaling the category [8] - Chinese audio manufacturers are expected to leverage the advantages of "new form + new technology" to accelerate overseas expansion, potentially overcoming barriers in developed regions and addressing saturation and homogenization issues in traditional true wireless markets [8]