Universal Flash Storage Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB), By Application (Automotive Electronics, Digital Cameras, Gaming Consoles, High-Resolution Displays, Laptops, Smartphones) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2025-2033

Universal Flash Storage Market Size

The global universal flash storage market size was worth USD 6.02 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 7.06 billion in 2025 to USD 21.47 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 17.2% during the forecast period (2025-2033).

Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a high-speed, energy-efficient flash storage standard for modern mobile devices, laptops, and automotive applications. It provides significantly faster read/write speeds than eMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) storage, making it ideal for high-performance computing tasks such as 4K video recording, gaming, and AI processing. UFS employs a full-duplex architecture, enabling simultaneous read and write operations, which improves efficiency and responsiveness. Its lower power consumption and enhanced reliability make it a preferred choice for next-generation smartphones, tablets, and other embedded systems requiring high-speed data transfer.

The global market is highly advanced for the future needs of modern electronic devices for fast, low-power data storage. UFS delivers superior read and write speeds than traditional storage solutions, providing better power efficiency and seamless multitasking. It is, therefore, the ideal solution for numerous consumer and industrial applications. The growing complexity and data content of devices call for higher levels of UFS, as they are used to provide faster data transfer rates and much better overall performance. Hence, the demand for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other portable electronics creates huge market growth in developing them because of their need for efficient storage solutions.

This table presents the smartphone user statistics for China, India, and the United States, highlighting the number of smartphone users, total population, and smartphone penetration rates. China leads with the highest number of smartphone users and a penetration rate of 68.4%, followed by the U.S. at 81.6% and India at 46.5%.

Source: Exploding Topics is a Trademark of Semrush Inc., Straits Research

Latest Market Trends

Growing demand for high-speed data transfer

The need for faster data storage is continually increasing; as such, most smartphones, gaming consoles, and laptops are built using UFS. Fast processing is essential with an increase in complex digital content and applications. UFS technology stands out due to speed, reliability, and energy efficiency, making it far better than other storage solutions. With most devices requiring quick data transfer, UFS is increasingly being applied by consumers and businesses.

• For instance, Samsung's UFS 4.0 release shows the growing demand for faster data transfer in flash storage. The new version promises significant improvements over UFS 3.1, offering faster speeds and efficiency for mobile devices and other applications.

Growing adoption of high-performance storage in automotive and consumer electronics

The UFS market is growing rapidly because more industries, such as automotive and consumer electronics, require high-performance storage. Modern cars use advanced systems for infotainment, real-time data, and self-driving tech, all of which need fast and reliable storage. Consumer electronics, such as high-end smartphones, tablets, and new technologies like AR/VR, are also moving towards UFS as companies focus on improving speed and user experience.

• For instance, Companies like Samsung and Micron Technology have already released UFS 4.0 storage for next-gen smartphones and Automotive in 2024. These advancements indicate that UFS is now an essential element in meeting the requirements of modern devices.

Global Universal Flash Storage Market Growth Factors

Rising adoption of generative AI in smartphones

As generative AI becomes increasingly installed in smartphones, the need for advanced storage increases. AI applications require faster data processing, more storage space, and enhanced energy efficiency to produce a seamless user experience. This factor is encouraging manufacturers to embrace UFS over traditional storage. UFS, being more robust and reliable than conventional storage, also assists in market growth.

• For instance, the best-selling GenAI-enabled smartphone worldwide during Q4 of 2024 was the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S24 series was in second and third place, marking Samsung's dominance in the generative AI smartphone market.

Advancements in high-speed storage solutions

The constant advancements in fast storage technology help the market grow. Much faster-read-and-write-speed storage solutions increase data transfer, boost device performance, and satisfy the increasingly huge demand for quicker, more efficient storage in smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. This progress is accelerating the adoption of UFS in many industries.

• For instance, Micron Technology, Inc. added the fast Crucial P510 SSD to its Crucial memory and storage line. It has read/write speeds of up to 11,000/9,550 MB/s and offers better DRAM options for more consumer choices.

Market Restraint

High cost of implementing

The high cost of using UFS remains the most significant barrier to its widespread adoption, particularly in cost-sensitive markets. UFS technology demands complex semiconductor manufacturing, advanced components, and modern architecture, making it more expensive than legacy options like eMMC. This cost challenge prevents manufacturers from integrating UFS into budget-friendly devices, particularly in regions where price competitiveness drives consumer choices.

• For instance, UFS chips used in smartphones and other consumer electronics generally cost more than eMMC chips. Many manufacturers opt for eMMC storage to keep production costs low, even though UFS offers superior speed, energy efficiency, and overall performance. Additionally, for entry-level smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices, companies often hesitate to transition to UFS due to the higher cost-to-benefit ratio compared to premium devices, where performance advantages are more pronounced.

Market Opportunity

Growth in IoT and edge computing

The surge in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and edge computing solutions presents one of the most promising growth opportunities for UFS technology. As industries and consumers increasingly rely on intelligent, interconnected devices, the demand for faster, more reliable, and high-capacity storage continues to grow. Sensors, wearable devices, smart home products, autonomous vehicles, and industrial machines generate vast amounts of data that must be processed efficiently, making UFS an attractive solution due to its high-speed capabilities and low power consumption.

• For instance, Samsung has been integrating UFS solutions into IoT-enabled devices to enhance real-time data processing, ensuring that smart home devices like smart thermostats, security cameras, and connected appliances operate with minimal lag. The industrial IoT sector, including smart factories and automation systems, also benefits from UFS by enabling rapid data retrieval, which is crucial for predictive maintenance and AI-driven decision-making in manufacturing environments.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific: Rapid expansion driven by growing digitalization

Asia-Pacific dominates the global universal flash storage market, driven by the rapid pace of digitalization in major economies such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. The increasing penetration of smartphones and the expansion of the middle class have fueled demand for high-performance storage solutions. Higher adoption rates, particularly in mobile devices and consumer electronics, have been supported by the region's fast-paced technological advancements and its role as a global manufacturing hub for semiconductors and electronic devices.

• For instance, Samsung Electronics has begun mass production of the industry’s first one-terabit (Tb) quad-level cell (QLC) 9th-generation V-NAND. The company had already launched its 9th-gen TLC V-NAND, further solidifying its high-capacity NAND flash technology leadership. This expansion is expected to drive more affordable high-performance storage options, facilitating UFS adoption in flagship and mid-range devices across the region.

Europe: Steady growth due to innovation and high-quality standards

Europe continues to experience steady growth in the global universal flash storage market, particularly in countries like Germany, France, and the UK, where innovation and high-quality standards drive consumer preferences. The demand for premium, high-performance storage solutions is supported by Europe's well-established digital infrastructure, high disposable income levels, and a strong presence of leading tech companies. European customers prioritize durability, reliability, and long-term value, making UFS a preferred choice for flagship smartphones, high-end consumer electronics, and automotive applications.

• For instance, European automakers are increasingly integrating UFS-based storage solutions in modern vehicles to support real-time navigation, infotainment systems, and autonomous driving applications. The shift towards connected and autonomous vehicles is expected to boost UFS demand across the region further.

Countries Insights

• United States: The United States leads in storage technology advancements, with companies developing next-generation UFS solutions for high-end devices and data center infrastructure. For instance, in 2024, Micron launched its UFS 4.0, which boasts higher read/write speeds and improved efficiency, meeting the increasing demand for premium smartphones, gaming consoles, and high-performance computing.
• United Kingdom: The UK market demands innovative storage technologies as smartphone penetration remains exceptionally high across all age groups. In 2022, 98% of UK adults aged 16–24 owned a smartphone, and 50% of nine-year-olds had one. This high adoption rate drives demand for high-speed, reliable storage solutions like UFS.
• China: As one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, China is a key driver of UFS demand, particularly in flagship and mid-range devices that require advanced storage capabilities. For instance, in Q3 2024, China's smartphone shipments grew by 2% YoY and 1% QoQ, marking a continuous upward trend in smartphone demand. Domestic manufacturers such as Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo are increasingly adopting UFS 3.1 and UFS 4.0 for enhanced performance in next-generation devices.
• Japan: Despite a mature smartphone industry, Japan remains a key market for high-quality and innovative storage solutions. In Q4 2023, Japan’s mobile phone shipments were recorded at 8.3 million units, reflecting a 3.5% decline YoY. However, premium devices with superior storage technology continue to hold strong demand.
• India: India is transitioning from low-end to mid-range and premium smartphones, increasing demand for high-speed storage solutions like UFS. For example, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC), smartphone shipments in India reached 146 million units in 2023, reflecting a 1% YoY growth. In addition, the growing preference for gaming smartphones, 5G-enabled devices, and AI-driven mobile applications is expected to accelerate the shift toward UFS adoption.
• South Korea: The South Korean smartphone market is highly saturated and profitable, with a tech-savvy consumer base. For instance, South Korea has more than 40 million smartphone users, with an average daily mobile app usage of over five hours. The country’s strong semiconductor industry and demand for high-performance mobile devices position it as a key market for UFS-based solutions in smartphones, tablets, and gaming devices.

Segmentation Analysis

By Type

UFS 3.1 segment dominated the market with the largest market revenue. The market is primarily dominated by UFS 3.1, considering its extensive utilization of flagship products. The technology's excellent read/write performance, power efficiency, and full backward compatibility capabilities have made it the favorite choice for manufacturers. These characteristics further ensure better multitasking abilities, faster application loading, and a richer user experience, making it a popular choice in the market. Laptops and game consoles are added to the list using UFS 3.

By Storage Capacity

The 256 GB is the dominant segment in the storage capacity category. This sub-segment precedes others because it provides an optimal balance between performance and storage size or space, catering well to many applications. More often than not, consumers and businesses alike prefer 256 GB, as it can hold enough variety of digital needs without being overboard, thereby being cost-effective and efficient. It is thus suitable for users with moderate to high storage requirements without sacrificing smooth performance, especially for devices carrying out demanding tasks. Hence, many go for this option.

By End-Use

Smartphone segment dominated the market with the largest market revenue. This is mainly because of a surge in high-speed data transfer requirements and substantial storage within modern smartphones. UFS-based storage is widely seen in flagship and mid-range models since it addresses what consumers expect about HD video recording, photography, and gaming performance. Further, the recent advancement in smartphone features, the availability of 5G connectivity, AI-driven functionalities, and higher storage have increased dependency on UFS storage solutions even more.

Company Market Share

Key market players are investing in advanced Universal flash storage technologies and pursuing collaborations, acquisitions, and partnerships to enhance their products and expand their market presence.

Phison Electronics: An Emerging Player in the Universal Flash Storage Market

Phison Electronics is a prominent flash storage company with its design and development expertise. They specialize in flash memory controllers and develop premium solutions for wide-ranging applications. These solutions offer advanced capabilities, including smartphones, laptops, and game consoles, that guarantee improved performance and reliability and the effective use of storage technologies' energies. Through continuous innovation, Phison has established itself as a prominent NAND flash controller manufacturer of high-performance NAND flash controllers and solid-state drives (SSDs) catering to consumer and enterprise markets.

Recent Developments:

• In January 2024, Phison Electronics launched a full range of Universal Flash Storage (UFS) controllers (PS8325, PS8327, PS8329, PS8361). Phison's latest UFS solutions cater to entry-level, mid-range, premium, and flagship smartphones, optimizing mobile storage performance and elevating the user experience.

Recent Developments

• January 2025- JEDEC published revisions to the Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 4.1 and UFS Host Controller Interface (UFSHCI) 4.1. These new versions have faster access to data and better performance for mobile and computing systems while being completely backward and compatible with UFS 4.0.
• February 2024- Micron Technology announced at MWC 2024 its small and compact UFS 4.0 chipset for mobile devices. The new 9×13 mm UFS 4.0 provides up to 1TB of storage and more than double the speed and responsiveness of flagship smartphones.

Analyst Opinion

As per our analyst, the global universal flash storage market is set to grow highly, driven by several significant trends. The continued development and refinement of UFS standards make it an essential solution for industries requiring faster, more efficient data storage. As the demand for high-performance devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, continues to increase, the need for quick data transfer and smooth device operation is driving the adoption of UFS.

Furthermore, UFS technology is penetrating new markets, including the Internet of Things and automotive electronics, where the demand has increased manifold, and the growth seems to be new avenues for this technology. Combining these market demands with industry applications will spur the development of UFS in the next few years.