As the wireless charging function is increasingly implemented in smartphones and wearable devices, expectations for invigoration of the related ‘after-market’ product market are increasing. The market for not only the charging pad and case, but also various convergence products combined with the table, car accessories, furniture and consumer electronics, is invigorated with the advent of the age of wireless charging.
In particular, the industry is looking for more opportunities in the transmission (Tx) module than in the wireless charging reception (Rx) module. As for the wireless charging receiver, opportunities are limited to some companies supplying parts to manufacturers of finished products, but as for the transmitter module, demands are expected to increase due to the various use patterns of consumers and the implementation of the infrastructure.
“Unlike the receiver expected to be bundled with smartphones, many participants will enter and compete in the wireless charging transmission pad market,” said Kwak Chan, a Shinyoung Securities researcher. “As prices will drop and products will be diversified as a result, it is highly likely that the market will be expanded faster than expected due to increased demands.”
Not only affiliates of large corporations manufacturing parts, such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics and LG Innotek, but also SMEs like Hanrim Postech and Komatech are preparing various solutions.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics introduced a magnetic resonance wireless charging solution, which can be used in metal-case smartphones, and a table with a built-in wireless charger at CES. Rather than directly manufacturing and selling the table, the company desires to present convergence solutions and seek cooperation with related industries.
A table with the built-in wireless charging transmission module is one of the most promising products at present. PMA, one of the wireless charging standardization organizations, joined hands with Starbucks and installed the wireless charging tables in some stores.
Komatech is also developing products with the built-in wireless charging function jointly with a few furniture makers. It is planning to introduce them to the market in line with the diffusion of smartphones and wearable devices with the wireless charging function. This company is also supplying the transmission module to manufacturers of automotive accessories. It will be used in the production of automotive room mirror-type or stand-type wireless chargers.
Convergence with wireless chargers is also expected in car accessories. It will be possible to charge devices without any cumbersome lines in the narrow driver’s seat. As early as the first half of next year, wireless chargers for smartphones, developed by domestic auto makers, are forecast to be released too.
Hanrim Postech registered a patent for a cup-holder-type smartphone wireless charger for use in cars last year. This company, planning to develop various kinds of products, proactively entered the wireless charging market a few years earlier than others, but as the market took more time in the making, it did not produce good results. However, it improved the charging efficiency with continuous investments and technology development, and has many original technologies and patents.
Expectations for the wireless charging after market are rising, but some cautioned about Chinese makers with superiority in prices and quantities. The technology for wireless charging itself is not that sophisticated.
“If Chinese companies force themselves into the market with low prices, no one can compete with them,” said an executive of a wireless charging-related company. “Various convergence products based on excellent ideas and functional differentiation in quick charging and safety are required rather than products like simple charging pads.”