The number of devices enabled with wireless charging will exceed 200 million units a year for the first time in 2016, according to the latest IHS Markit forecast.
Driven by shipments in mobile phones and wearables, the 200 million mark represents a 40 percent increase over 2015 levels.
IHS research showed that one in four people has now used wireless charging and more than 98 percent of those would choose the feature again on their next phone.
While the lack of adoption among manufacturers in their flagship smartphones has slowed previously expected growth, the automobile industry continues to lead the way. In-cabin wireless charging continues to grow and the first wave of OEM wireless charging electric vehicles is expected to hit the market in late 2017. Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to announce its intention to launch, with the 2017 S-Class 500 e.
But IHS issued a downgraded short-term forecast, as the wait for more major receiver products continues. The impact will be lessened in the long term as adoption is expected to ramp up and IHS Markit still predicts the market to exceed 1 billion receivers shipped per year by 2020, with mobile phones and wearables as the two largest product categories.
