Dubai: Quick search in Amazon.com’s accessories category for “iPhone 6” turns up 8,442,679 results while for “Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge” turns up 1,435,684 results. So this shows how big the smartphone accessories market is.

The emergence of smartphones as the first mobility device of choice has created a booming market and retailers are cashing in on the growing demand.

The accessories market includes covers, chargers, Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth speakers, selfie sticks, powerbank, cables and protective covers for screens.

According to research firm ABI Research, revenues from global aftermarket accessories — those not included with the original purchase — stood at $26.5 billion (Dh97.3 billion) in 2014 and expected to double this year.

Neelesh Bhatnagar, CEO of Emax Electronics, said that accessories are doing extremely well. “Out of our total sales, around 13 per cent comes from accessories segment,” he said.

Smartphones are generally higher-value products, so consumers are willing to “spend more” on accessories. The strength of a smartphone can be “maximised” only when consumers have the corresponding accessories.

“The average life of a handset is around a year but the cover gets spoiled after three to four months, so people change it very often as customers see covers as a disposable item,” Bhatnagar said.

The average price of a smartphone cover is between Dh79 and Dh129.

Omar Abushaban, general manager for Plug Ins, said that their accessory numbers have gone up in total value.

“Samsung has a bigger share than Apple as they [Samsung] have bigger variety of models. Around 15 per cent of the total sales come from accessories segment,” he said.

Many smartphone manufacturers have come with out with their own branded covers for their devices to boost profits as margins from handsets are getting squeezed.

Bhatnagar said that women spend more on covers to match their clothes. The awareness is growing in a big way.

All the retailers are taking the accessories segment very seriously as there is a margin. So the retailers display it prominently at its stores and are witnessing the results, he said.

“The demand for ultra-fashionable expensive covers with diamonds or Swarovski crystals is not very big in the UAE but we do keep some in boutique shops at Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates outlets for tourists,” he said.