Samsung Electronics is planning to include wireless charging feature to its smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds that will be released in the second half. Its move is expected to vitalize markets for related parts and components. Wireless charging is a technology that sends electric energy using electromagnetic induction.
According to the industry on Tuesday, Samsung Electronics is planning to release its strategic smartphones and wearable devices for the second half one after the other starting from August. It will release two different models of the Galaxy Note 20 series (tentative name) and a new foldable smartphone Galaxy Fold 2 (tentative name) and wireless earbuds that resemble beans and a new Galaxy Watch.
It is heard that Samsung Electronics is preparing to release many of its strategic smartphones in the second half in order to recover from negative aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half. Besides the Note 20 series and the Galaxy Fold 2, it is also planning to release the Galaxy Z Flip 5G model and the S20 Fan Edition (FE) that is the economic version of the Galaxy S20.
The fact that Samsung Electronics, which is the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturer, is planning to release many new products in the second half will boost demands for companies that manufacture related parts and components and it will also benefit industries related to wireless charging.
It is understood that Samsung Electronics is planning to include wireless charging feature to the two different models of the Galaxy Note 20 series, the Galaxy Fold 2, wireless earbuds, and the new Galaxy Watch. The Galaxy Note 20 series and the Galaxy Fold 2 will have modules (RX) that receive wireless power while Samsung Electronics’ wireless earbuds will have RX module in their charging case. The new smartwatch is expected to have both RX module and wireless charger (TX).
Wireless charging technology requires coiled wireless charging modules in both receiver and transmitter. In case of a smartphone, the phone needs to have a RX module while its charger needs to have a transmission module (TX) that sends wireless power.
It is heard that Samsung Electronics is hoping to sell 10 million units of the Note series and 3 million units of the Galaxy Fold 2 annually. Based on these goals, there are demands for 13 million units of RX module annually just for smartphones alone. When RX module demands for the new Galaxy Watch and wireless earbuds are added, it is estimated that there will be more than 20 million units of RX module in demands annually.
The wireless charging market has been gaining momentum through smartphones, smartwatches, and now wireless earbuds.
“For wireless earbuds, necessary components for wireless charging will go into their charging case.” said a representative for a wireless charging parts maker. “There is an increase in orders for wireless modules as wireless earbuds sales have been increasing rapidly.”
For instance, because it is heard that Samsung Electronics is planning to produce 500,000 units of its new wireless earbuds monthly, wireless earbuds are emerging as new source of demand for companies that manufacture parts and components used for wireless charging.
Chemtronics, Amotech, Hansol Technics, and EMW area some of South Korean companies that supply parts and components used for wireless charging to Samsung Electronics. Out of these companies, Chemtronics and Amotech are responsible for the most of supplies that go to Samsung Electronics.
It is expected that the global wireless charging market will continue to grow. Apple has begun to include wireless charging feature to its products while Samsung Electronics is also looking to include the feature to its middle-end and low-end smartphones as well.
Staff Reporter Yun, Geonil | benyun@etnews.com