As the outdoor season kicks off, Russians have ramped up their portable electronics purchases by roughly 30%. Data from MegaFon and Yota analysts shows that during the first two weeks of May 2026, compared to the same period in April, sales of smartwatches jumped 72%, tablets climbed 70%, and portable speakers rose 50%.

• Transponders for road trips surged 86%, and smart home devices shot up 88% in sales.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 and the 2025 11-inch iPad ranked among the top-selling tablet models.
• The most active buyers come from Moscow, the Moscow region, Saint Petersburg, and Krasnodar Krai.

Popular portable electronics this season

Smart speakers gained 33% in sales, while wireless earbuds saw a 32% increase. Demand for portable power sources also climbed sharply: external batteries with capacities between 6,000 and 11,000 mAh sold 40% more often, while heavy-duty power banks over 16,000 mAh grew 24%. Children’s smartwatches recorded a 21% rise in purchases.

Tablets emerged as the season’s breakout hit. Apple leads the charge with the iPad 2025 11-inch model topping sales charts. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A11+, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, and Galaxy Tab A11 also remain popular picks.

MegaFon’s perspective and regional purchasing trends

”Not everyone sees a countryside retreat or picnic as a chance to digitally detox. Most buyers value keeping access to their usual services, music, and movies no matter where they are,” said Vadim Zimin, MegaFon’s Director of Strategy and Sales Development. ”We’re witnessing growing demand for portable devices, so we continuously expand our offerings and pair them with special deals to make outdoor downtime more enjoyable and comfortable.”

The regions leading the charge in outdoor tech purchases are Moscow and its oblast, Saint Petersburg, and Krasnodar Krai. The top 10 also features Bashkortostan, Sverdlovsk, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Tatarstan, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, and Krasnoyarsk Krai.

Russia’s surge in portable electronics echoes global trends where consumers lean into digital devices even during leisure and travel seasons. While Apple and Samsung tablets dominate, local operators like MegaFon shape purchasing by offering tailored promotions and device bundles-a strategy less emphasized in Western markets where retail chains usually lead such efforts. Analysts see this as part of a broader push to integrate connectivity and entertainment seamlessly into day-to-day life, indoors or out.

Looking ahead, watch how seasonal spikes affect product mixes and whether smartwatch and smart home device sales continue rising. With outdoor lifestyles regaining popularity post-pandemic, demand for durable, battery-efficient gadgets is set to keep growing. Brands that align with this shift by enhancing portability, battery life, and integrated service ecosystems will likely capture the most attention in Russia and beyond.