Analysts at Yole Group are predicting the CMOS image sensor market to reach $30 billion by 2030, driven by smartphone and mobile sales, as well as automotive and security applications. In the report, Status of the CMOS Image Sensor Industry 2025, analysts noted a significant market rebound in 2024, following a period of modest sales. Revenues rose in 2024 by 6.4% year-over-year, driven by the forecasted rebound in smartphone sales. The percentage marked a significant boost from the 2.3% growth between 2022 and 2023. That upward trend is expected to continue into 2025, supported by momentum in mobile, automotive, and security applications. A graph depicting the 2020-2025 CMOS image sensor (CIS) revenue forecast by market. Courtesy of Yole Group. “[CMOS image sensor] products are still expanding into existing and new applications. While smartphones remain a critical driver, emerging applications in automotive and next-gen consumer devices are creating new opportunities for differentiation and growth,” said Florian Domengie, principal technology and market analyst for imaging at Yole Group. While geopolitical tensions have ratcheted up, the market has remained largely unscathed. The U.S.-China trade war has made its impact on the semiconductor market, but CMOS image sensor technology relies on mature nodes, between 22 and 180 nm, which are not targeted by export restrictions. Yole expects that U.S. and European players may continue losing ground while Sony and Chinese suppliers to further expand in 2025. SmartSens, a Chinese company, saw a 105.7% year-over-year boost in revenue breaking into mobile, security, and automotive markets. Sony saw a 1% gain in market share as it inches towards its 50% target. Japan’s market share remains at the top, with 48%. South Korea holds the next largest at 21%, with mainland China trailing behind with 19%. North America and Europe hold 6% and 5% respectively, with Taiwan holding a modest 1% share. Emerging market dynamics are expected to buoy the market, with rapid growth in the automotive imaging sector driven by expanding advanced driver assistance systems, in-cabin monitoring, and surround-view applications. In 2023 6.57 billion camera modules were shipped, with automotive reaching 236 million units, nearly 4% of the total, averaging close to three cameras per vehicle.