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Global Electricity Demand To Outpace Japan’s Total Consumption By 2027

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 14, 2025

Global electricity demand is projected to increase by 4% annually until 2027, a rate that surpasses Japan’s entire current electricity consumption. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the rapid rise in demand is expected to be mitigated somewhat by a shift toward low-emission energy sources like renewables and nuclear power.

Emerging Economies Lead Demand Growth

The vast majority of this demand growth will come from emerging and developing economies, with China playing a dominant role, contributing over half of the global increase. China’s electricity consumption is forecast to grow at a 6% annual rate through 2027, largely driven by its energy-intensive industrial sector and booming production of solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles. India is also expected to play a key role, contributing 10% of global demand growth due to strong economic activity and surging air conditioning use.

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Developed Economies Set For A Turnaround

In developed economies, such as the US, electricity demand, which had previously been stagnant, is expected to grow due to the increased electrification of sectors like transportation, heating, and data centers. However, the European Union’s outlook has been revised downward, with expected growth in 2025 now pegged at 1.6%. This reflects a weaker macroeconomic environment, and the EU may not recover to 2021 demand levels until at least 2027, despite a growth rebound in 2024.

Renewables To Meet Growing Demand

Low-emission energy sources, including renewables and nuclear power, are expected to increasingly meet global electricity demand. Solar power is forecast to become the second-largest low-emission source by 2027, after hydropower. Notably, renewables are set to overtake coal as the leading power generation source by 2025, with coal’s share in the energy mix dipping below 33% for the first time in a century, according to the IEA.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.