Mainland China is currently the largest manufacturing base for headsets worldwide, accounting for 90 percent of the world's supply of all types of headsets. Makers supplying mobile phone headsets currently number 200, including the growing number of companies focusing on Bluetooth headsets.

Taiwan has about 150 mobile phone headset makers, many of which make traditional headsets and computer accessories. Most of the Bluetooth headset makers emphasize midrange and high-end models.

Some of the key findings of this report are:
- Further reductions in the price of Bluetooth chipsets, the entry of newer-generation chipsets and the hike in the supply of Bluetooth mobile phones are driving production and product development in Greater China.
- Wired headsets will continue in strong supply, but will mostly be for low-end applications.
- Bluetooth headsets will gain further traction in 2006. The versatility of Bluetooth stereo headsets will enable them to enter the mainstream and slowly edge out mono versions.
- RF and IR headsets are exiting the line.
- Prices will decrease by 10 percent to 20 percent in 2006 as a result of the continuous drop in the prices of Bluetooth chipsets.
- In addition to RoHS and WEEE, makers are hard pressed to obtain Bluetooth Qualifying Body (BQB) certification. The high application cost is deterring many mainland China companies from obtaining the certification and trade mark.

This report covers 19 mainland China-based, nine Taiwan-based and six Hong Kong-based companies, representing a cross section of Greater China manufacturers. Their projected aggregate output in 2006 is at least 153.13 million units, of which 106.37 million units or 69 percent will be exported. Their combined production of mobile phone headsets in 2005 totaled 112.30 million units, with exports reaching 66.80 million units or 59 percent of output for that year. This report also includes three South Korea-based companies.
In this Report
- 22 In-depth supplier profiles
- 15 supplier tables
- Product gallery of wired and wireless headsets
- Supplier index