Global true wireless stereo (TWS) shipments fell 0.7% year-over-year (YoY) to 82.1 million units in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from Omdia. But it’s kinda good news for Apple.
The tech giant’s share of the global market grew 1.2% annually. Apple’s TWS products are primarily sold under the AirPods flagship line, as well as through its subsidiary brand, Beats by Dre.
In the second quarter of 2026, Apple sold 16.8 million of these products for 20.5% global market share. That compares to sales of 16.6 million units in the second quarter of 2026. That’s 1.2% annual growth. Apple leads the worldwide TWS market.
The second quarter decline of TWS shipments marks the first YoY decline since the second quarter of 2023, notes Omdia. Mainland China, the world’s largest TWS market, accounted for much of the decline, with shipments falling 9.5% as the boost from broader consumer electronics stimulus faded and replacement demand was partly pulled forward into 2025. Shipments also declined in other top markets, including the U.S. and India, while growth in emerging markets helped partially offset these declines.
Omdia expects OWS to remain one of the most promising growth areas within TWS over the coming years. Annual OWS shipments are forecast to increase from 43.9 million units in 2026 to 90.5 million units by 2030, representing nearly one in five TWS shipments.
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