TWS development history

TWS (True Wireless Stereo) is different from traditional audio products. The most core driving force is the development of Bluetooth connectivity technology. Ericsson developed Bluetooth technology in 1994, named Bluetooth by Intel engineers in 1997. The first wireless Bluetooth headset was introduced in 2000, but at that time, due to the use of Bluetooth version 1.0, the bandwidth is very low. So it can only meet the single-channel voice calls, and can not listen to music. In 2010, the emergence of stereo Bluetooth earphones is to achieve the effect of two-channel stereo sound. But after the change to wireless connection, the internal integration of the earphones is greatly improved. In addition to the installation of Bluetooth chips, it is also to leave enough space for the battery to enhance the range, so the stereo Bluetooth earphone was mainly headset. 2011 earbud type of wireless headset was introduced, removing the headset and the phone connection line, but the headphones are still connected to a short wire. Until 2016, Apple released the first generation of AirPods, officially opened the era of TWS headphones.

(1) The world's first true wireless headphones were released on overseas crowdfunding platform in 2014

In 2014, BRAGI, a German brand, launched Dashheadphone, the world's first TWS headphones, on the kickstarter platform with online crowdfunding, starting at $179, about RMB 1160. The crowdfunding project made a big splash, with 15,998 users participating and raising $3.39 million in a month and a half.

(2) Bluetooth 5.0 version released in 2016, marking the TWS headset left and right ear bilateral calls become possible

In June 2016, before the TWS headset market exploded, the Bluetooth Technology Alliance launched Bluetooth version 5.0, which greatly promoted the maturation of TWS headset technology.

The new Bluetooth 5.0 standard is far superior to the previous Bluetooth 4.2 version in terms of performance. In terms of transmission capability, Bluetooth 5.0 has faster and farther transmission capability in low-power mode, with twice the transmission rate of Bluetooth 4.2, four times the effective transmission distance and eight times the packet capacity of Bluetooth 4.2. Bluetooth 5.0 technology brings disruptive changes to TWS headsets, making it possible for TWS headsets to make bilateral calls.

(3) Apple's first truly wireless headphones, AirPods, launched in 2016

In December 2016, Apple's first truly wireless headphones AirPods were launched, officially opening the era of TWS headphones.

From 2017 to 2020, the shipping quantity for AirPods were 14 million/35 million/60 million/95 million units, with a compound annual growth rate of 58%. Apple TWS headphone shipments in 2020 accounted for about 38% of the brand TWS headphone market.

(4) The first truly wireless noise-cancelling headphones appeared on the market in 2017

In September 2017, the first truly wireless noise-cancelling headphones , Sony WF-1000X, went on sale. The headphones feature an in-ear design with multiple earbuds of different sizes to assist in wearing and bring physical passive noise shielding, and a built-in Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth chip, which enables active noise cancellation.

The headphones are a prelude to the release of Apple's AirPodsPro noise-cancelling true wireless headphones in 2019. The headphones are the prelude to the release of Apple's AirPodsPro noise-cancelling true wireless headphones in 2019.

(5) 2017 Apple as the representative of the cell phone brands to remove the 3.5mm audio interface

In October 2017, Apple launched the iPhone 7 series of smartphones, eliminating the 3.5mm audio plug and changing it to Lightning interface.

It means that the iPhone is gradually going non-porous and wireless. At the same time, most cell phone brands like Huawei, Samsung, Xiaomi, glory, OPPO, vivo are doing the same thing to remove 3.5mm and enter into wireless furture.

(6) TWS explosion from 2017 to 2020

From 2017 to 2020, hundreds of brands joined the TWS headset war. Among them, cell phone manufacturers such as Apple, Google, Huawei, Glory, Lenovo, LG, Xiaomi, Meizu, Motorola, Nubia, OPPO, Redmi, realme, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, etc. have launched their first true wireless headset products.

Well-known audio brands such as Sony, BOSE, Sennheiser, Wanderer, JVC JBL, Jabra, B&O, Astrid, Klipsh, Whiteway, etc. have launched true wireless headphone products.

At the same time, there are also many new brands in the Chinese market such as: Bird, Wan Mo, FIIL, ANKER, etc.

(7) 2020 Bluetooth version 5.2, LE Audio released

With the rapid growth of TWS product sales, the Bluetooth pairing requirements between cell phones and headphones are also increasing.

In 2020, the Bluetooth Technology Alliance released Bluetooth version 5.2 and launched LE Audio. A new generation Bluetooth audio technology standard based on the Bluetooth version 5.2 specification, which brings a more open system, lower power consumption, higher quality sound, and support for multiple streams, broadcast audio and other features.

(8) In 2020,  Apple and Samsung both cancelled with the phone distribution of wired headphones

In 2020, Apple, Samsung and other leading cell phone brands, one after another to eliminate the original gift with the phone wired headphones. At present, TWS still need to be paired with cell phones, computers and other playback terminals to be able to use, the cell phone side of the abolition of complimentary wired headphones, will greatly stimulate consumer demand for TWS products.

(9) For 2021 and future market

In the future, TWS  will continue to improve on sound quality, enhancing battery life, reducing transmission latency, and developing richer features. In addition, TWS as an important carrier of voice interaction, gradually become an important entrance to the Internet of Things.