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The average U.S. owner of a mobile phone spends about $60 on accessories over the life of the phone, according to a new survey from ABI Research.

Related market research indicates that the worldwide wireless handset accessories market is worth about $63 billion in 2009.

Michael Morgan
Industry Analyst
Mobile Devices
ABI Research

"Chargers - car chargers, standard chargers and additional chargers - led the field in terms of numbers purchased," said Michael Morgan, ABI Research analyst.

"Carrying or protective cases were the next most popular, followed by batteries and memory cards. Other accessory types include hands-free kits, headsets, and cosmetic enhancements."

Within in those categories, age demographics played a role in the popularity of accessories. Younger (under 40) purchasers tended more than those over 40 to buy batteries, data connection cables and protective cases at the time of the phone's purchase.

"The popularity of data cables and protective cases among young buyers reflects the greater likelihood that they own a higher-priced media-focused handset or smartphone," said Morgan.

The survey was conducted in July 2009, asked 1,000 adult consumers which of the many available accessories they acquired at the time the handset was purchased, and where they sourced the accessories they bought later.