As Apple prepares to open pre-orders for the Vision Pro, TrendForce reports that this device is a key strategic move by Apple to expand the virtual head-mounted device market and to mark its entry into the VR/AR market as a pioneer in technological innovation. If initial sales are strong, Vision Pro shipments could reach between 500–600 thousand units in 2024.
TrendForce anticipates 2024 to mark a significant expansion in edge AI applications, leveraging the groundwork laid by AI servers and branching into AI PCs and other terminal devices. The global AI server market—encompassing AI Training and AI Inference—is projected to exceed 1.6 million units, growing at an impressive rate of 40%. Additionally, CSPs are expected to ramp up their involvement in this sector.
TrendForce reveals that the global notebook market in 2023 struggled due to high inflation, with annual shipments reaching only 166 million units, a 10.8% YoY decrease. However, this decline was less severe compared to 2022.
Global TV demand continues to be adversely impacted by inflation in 2023. Even price reductions and promotions on high-priced products have struggled to boost sales as consumers contend with limited disposable income. This has resulted in a decline in shipments for international brands that primarily focus on mid-to-high-end models, according to TrendForce's research.
TrendForce reports that smartphone production—fueled by reduced channel inventories and spikes in seasonal demand—saw a significant uptick in 3Q23. Global smartphone production in the third quarter reached approximately 308 million units, marking a 13% QoQ increase. Although this figure has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, it represents a 6.4% YoY increase, effectively ending an eight-quarter streak of annual declines.