Global Light Sensor Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Output (Digital, Analog, Others), By Industry Vertical (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Energy And Power, Healthcare, Entertainment, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The global light sensor market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.82% to reach US$9.755 billion by 2027, from US$4.464 billion in 2020.

Light sensors are small and inexpensive sensors that have varied applications across industry verticals including healthcare, consumer electronics, energy & power, and entertainment among many others. The major factors driving the demand for these sensors are the rising consumption of consumer electronics and the trend toward renewable energy. The miniaturization of these sensors will further boost their demand. North America and Europe held a significant market share owing to the high adoption of consumer electronics and favorable government policies promoting the use of renewable energy. The Asia Pacific region will grow at a substantial rate over the forecast period on account of rising disposable income, improvement in the standard of living, and increasing automotive production over the forecast period.

Growing demand for consumer electronics to augment market growth

The expansion consumer electronics sector in the light sensors market has been driven by the growing use of proximity sensors and ambient light sensors in mobile phones. A spike in the use of light sensors by leading OEMs, like Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., may present prospects for growth. The South Korean company Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a key player in the market for light sensors. It has infused light sensors into various product categories, including mobile devices such as Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, that carry out tasks like proximity detection. The proximity detection module and integrated ambient light sensor from AMS AG, TMD2755 was unveiled in July 2020, enabling mobile handset OEMs to create mobile handsets with bezel-less screens. In comparison to other devices on the market, the module is 40% lower in area and 60% smaller in volume. Further, TMD2755 helps mobile phone manufacturers in their efforts to expand the viewable display area by allowing light-sensing and proximity features to be contained in thinner bezels. This has been considered a major contributor to the rising consumer interest in mobile phones, especially in the mid-range market segment. Smartphone manufacturers are proactively integrating new technologies into their devices to enhance their product quality in terms of product quality and vision. For instance, Oppo, in April 2022, announced that its model, Oppo F21 Pro, would feature the flagship Sony IMX709 RGBW selfie sensor that is said to be 60% more sensitive to light and reduces noise by almost 35% when compared to the previous generation IMX615 RGB sensor.

APAC region to hold a dominant share

The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the light sensors market, due to its larger population size and soaring demand and production of smartphones and other consumer electronics. For instance, according to the ICEA (India Cellular and Electronics Association), the value of mobile phone production increased from INR 1,700 billion in 2019 to INR 2,149 billion in 2020, in India. In 2021, the value rose to INR 2,227 billion, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A rise in the adoption rate of handheld devices with inbuilt light sensors is also expected to be one of the primary factors contributing to the growth of the light sensors market in this region. With an increase in safety concerns among consumers in developing economies, such as India and the ASEAN countries, automobile manufacturers are integrating more sensors in low-cost vehicles. This is predicted to drive the demand for light sensors in the future. Furthermore, the growing focus on the adoption of the latest technologies, such as the IoT, facial recognition, and government regulations in emerging economies to enhance security across various industry verticals are expected to increase the deployment of light sensors, which is consequently going to accelerate the growth of the industry. Additionally, the broad usage of light sensors in scanners, QR codes, and intrusion detection systems is expected to further drive market expansion.

Key Developments

• July 2022 - The Optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. unveiled a new AEC-Q101-qualified reflective optical sensor for application in the automotive and industrial sector, smart homes, and offices. Offering a lower profile than the previous generation solutions while delivering improved performance with a higher current transfer ratio and operating temperature, the VCNT2025X01 integrates an infrared emitter, daylight blocking filter and silicon phototransistor detector in a miniature 2.5 mm by 2.0 mm by 0.6 mm surface mount package.
• July 2021 - Sharp Semiconductor Co., Ltd. announced the development of the GP2AP130S00F proximity sensor for smart wearable devices that support the I2C communication protocol. Its low current consumption design along with an average current consumption of 40 μA (Typ.) enables operation for long durations on battery power.

COVID-19 Insights

After the massive COVID-19 outbreak, the priorities of the general population shifted towards technology and health, thereby, driving demand for ambient light sensors in applications such as medical devices. For instance, in October 2021, Osram successfully developed an ambient light sensor for mobile devices and smart wearables that could detect UV-A light. According to the company, while the UV-C portion of sunlight is blocked by the atmosphere of the earth, UV-A and UV-B radiation still manage to reach the earth's surface. Sunburn is caused by UV-B radiation, which only penetrates the upper layers of the skin. Thus, the COVID-19 crisis provided opportunities for businesses to invest, as well as implement, and research technologies requiring a lesser human touch.

Global Light Sensor Market Scope:

Segmentation

• By Output
  • Digital
  • Analog
  • Others
• By Industry Vertical
  • Consumer Electronics
  • Automotive
  • Energy and Power
  • Healthcare
  • Entertainment
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Isreal
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Taiwan
    • Others