The China Smart Home Market size is estimated at USD 31.20 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 64.96 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 15.80% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Key Highlights
- Chinese consumers are increasingly familiar with the term 'smart home' as many smart devices flood the market, and brands emphasize 'smartness' in their home appliances. Leveraging public-private partnerships and targeted technological innovations, China has successfully rolled out smart city infrastructure in many major metropolises, extending its reach into the residential sector.
- Shifting from an export-driven to a consumption-centric economy, China is pivoting toward energy efficiency while not facing notably high energy costs. The government, recognizing the significance of energy and water conservation, is actively promoting smart home technologies that optimize resource usage.
- Advancements in sensor technology have led to innovations like sensor-embedded insulation and 'smart mirrors' capable of monitoring skin conditions. Beyond the novelty, the ability of these new sensors to process data locally is poised to hasten the widespread adoption of smart home technologies.
- While Western smart cities often adopt a grassroots approach, China's strategy is predominantly top-down, with the central government leading. A notable example is the joint issuance of guidelines at the beginning of 2022 by 16 government departments, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Public Security. These guidelines laid out policies, systems, and standards for digital homes.
- China's tech behemoths, including Alibaba, Tencent, Didi Chuxing, Baidu, and Huawei, are pivotal in the nation's drive to modernize its city infrastructures. Their concerted efforts align with China's overarching ambition of smart city development, further bolstering the prospects of the smart home market in China.
- Furthermore, in June 2023, Xiaomi announced a new MIJIA smart home appliance in the Chinese market. The new MIJIA Intelligent Multipurpose Oven with a steamer is built to offer multiple cooking methods in a single package.
China Smart Home Market Trends
China's Smart Home Market Surges on the Back of Digitization
- Digitization in China is catalyzing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, enabling businesses to expand their reach, enhance operational efficiency, and craft innovative products. The widespread use of Alipay and WeChat Pay exemplifies this trend. While consumers increasingly embrace a digital lifestyle, the pace of technological adoption varies.
- According to the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, in 2022, China's digital economy had surged to CNY 50.2 trillion (approximately USD 6.99 trillion) from CNY 11 trillion in 2012. As of June 2023, China boasted around 1.08 billion internet users, nearly doubling the figure from 2012. Concurrently, internet penetration soared from 42.1% to 76.4%.
- Moreover, GSMA highlights that over 800 million mobile connections in China are now 5G-enabled. Projections suggest that by the end of 2024, 5G connections will surpass 50%, solidifying its position as the primary mobile technology in China, with total connections expected to exceed 1 billion.
- According to CNNIC, by December 2023, approximately 1.09 billion people in China accessed the internet via a mobile device, up from around 1.08 billion in the first half of 2023.
- Furthermore, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet and digital devices played pivotal roles, facilitating everything from medical consultations to remote work. Consequently, as digitization deepens, the smart home market in China is not just growing; it is poised for sustained expansion in the coming years.
Comfort and Lighting to Witness Significant Growth
- Many property owners embrace sustainability by transitioning to LED lighting in their residential communities. With extensive lighting networks that operate round the clock, these properties are finding significant energy savings by switching to smart LED solutions. Consequently, renters and homeowners are following suit, opting for a diverse range of smart LED options for their interior lighting.
- The journey of smart lighting has been remarkable. The advent of LED technology marked a pivotal moment, revolutionizing the lighting landscape. LEDs, with their enhanced energy efficiency, durability, and extended lifespan, outshine traditional bulbs. A key trend in smart homes is the surge of intelligent lighting and home automation. Consumers now seek lighting solutions that can be controlled remotely via smartphones, voice assistants, or integrated smart home systems, offering convenience and installation flexibility.
- Energy efficiency has become a focal point in China. In the mid-1990s, the country grappled with a severe power shortage driven by its burgeoning population, expanding economy, and rising living standards. The pressure on the Chinese government intensified as the need for new power plants clashed with limited infrastructure funding. This backdrop spurred a nationwide push for energy efficiency.
- China, a well-known LED lighting manufacturer, leverages its deep-rooted expertise in electronics, optics, and high-tech industries. Chinese policymakers are revisiting the national minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for LED products, aiming to broaden the regulatory coverage and elevate the nation's lighting standards.
- As the demand for LED lighting surges, especially in urban residential settings, the smart home industry is witnessing a parallel rise in its adoption.
China Smart Home Industry Overview
The Chinese smart home market is fragmented. The market is highly concentrated due to the presence of various small and large players. All the major players account for a significant market share and focus on expanding their consumer base. Some of the critical players in the market are Schneider Electric SE, Emerson Electric Corporation, ABB Ltd, Honewell International Inc., and Siemens AG. Companies are increasing their market share by forming multiple collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions and investing in introducing new products to earn a competitive edge during the forecast period.
- May 2024: ABB signed an agreement to acquire Siemens' Wiring Accessories business in China. This will broaden ABB's market reach and complement its regional customer offering within smart buildings. The offering ABB is acquiring includes wiring accessories, smart home systems, smart door locks, and further peripheral home automation products, which will continue under the Siemens brand under terms of a licensing agreement.
- August 2023: Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics collaborated to create a Smart Home to advance smart living. The collaboration includes combining the smart home platforms of both companies in the cloud to enhance connectivity between devices. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics collaborated to connect their appliances seamlessly. This significant measure marks the first commercial implementation of the HCA (Home Connectivity Alliance) standard 1.0.
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