The CMOS image sensor market shrank for the first time in seven years
Over the past few months, the IT and electronics markets have experienced a downturn in demand, causing a significant reduction in shipments from suppliers across various sectors of the industry. The CMOS image sensor market, which benefits from smartphones, has not been immune to this trend. CMOS image sensors are widely used in smartphones, digital cameras, security systems, and industrial control applications, and last year, the market witnessed its first contraction in seven years.
According to The Elec, data from Japanese analytics firm Techno Systems Research (TSR) reveals that the CMOS image sensor market shrank by 5.7% in 2022, reaching a total value of $18.611 billion. With last year’s slump and an anticipated recovery in consumer demand, the CMOS image sensor market is expected to grow by 8.7% this year, reaching a value of $20.244 billion.
Sony remains the undisputed leader in the CMOS image sensor market, even increasing its market share amidst the decline. Its revenue grew by 8.1% year-over-year, amounting to $9.255 billion. Sony is the primary supplier for Apple’s iPhone series, focusing primarily on high-end products. ON Semiconductor, which mainly provides CIS solutions for the automotive industry, experienced a substantial revenue increase of 36.5% year-over-year, reaching $1.215 billion.
While there have been successes, Samsung, which has been chasing Sony in recent years, saw a sharp decline in revenue, decreasing by 25.8% to $2.912 billion. This downturn is primarily attributed to an overreliance on smartphone sales. Another company that faced a significant setback is South Korea’s SK Hynix, whose revenue contracted to $480 million, representing a 34.4% decrease year-over-year. The company’s primary focus on supplying the mid-to-low-end smartphone market has led to increased pressure.
In addition to the decline in market size, the drop in CMOS image sensor sales volume is also noteworthy. The figure decreased from 575 million units in 2021 to 311 million in 2022, an unusual shift that suggests possible customer issues.
