USB Devices Market

Market Overview

The global USB devices market size was valued at USD 26,749 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 62,048 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard interface that allows devices to communicate with a host controller, such as computers or smartphones. It links peripheral devices to the computer, including digital cameras, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, media players, external hard drives, and flash drives. The USB has superseded a wide range of interfaces, such as the parallel and serial ports, due to its wide range of purposes, including support for electrical power. A USB is designed to improve plug-and-play functionality and enable hot-swapping.

Market Dynamics

Global USB Devices Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Consumer Electronics

People of all ages use cell phones, which has led to global growth in the consumer electronics industry. Devices that use the Universal Serial Bus (USB), often known as USB keys or USB sticks, feature a USB-integrated interface and store data on flash memory. Webcams, flash drives, memory card readers, digital audio players, and other computer peripherals can all be connected using USB devices. The market for USB devices is increasing, and they work with various gadgets, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, digital cameras, and smart TVs. In addition, consumer electronics has one of the fastest growth rates due to a large number of developing technologies.

The most widely used method of exchanging data between end devices, including laptops, cell phones, PCs, and digital cameras, is through USB devices. Companies that produce USB devices worldwide are working very hard to create new goods due to the rising demand for consumer electronics and data transfer technologies. Therefore, the increased demand for consumer electronics is projected to be the primary factor driving the growth of the global market for USB devices.

Growing Demand for USB Products in Automotive Entertainment and Infotainment Systems

Consumer demand and new technology significantly affect how well innovative auto products sell. People consider entertainment, information, and sound systems while shopping for cars. The increasing popularity of current vehicle entertainment and infotainment systems is prompting automakers to provide a secure link between the vehicle's display and the user's smartphone or tablet. As a result, USB device manufacturers are developing interoperable USB devices with various vehicle systems for the automotive market. Consumers nowadays expect car entertainment and infotainment systems to respond immediately and without delay. Hence, the growing demand for USB products in automotive entertainment and infotainment systems is expected to drive the growth of the global USB devices market during the forecast period.

Global USB Devices Market Restraint

Rising Security Concerns

USB devices help store and move information from one computer to another because they are tiny, generally available, affordable, and portable. On the other hand, these same features make them enticing to attackers. Attackers can use Malware that detects when a USB drive is plugged into a computer to infect other computers using USB drives. The virus infects another machine when the USB drive is inserted into it.

Furthermore, attackers may also utilize their USB devices to directly take data from a computer. However, the most apparent security concern associated with USB devices is that they are easily misplaced or stolen. The loss of a USB drive can result in hours of wasted effort and the possibility that the information can only be reproduced if the data is backed up. Thus, the rising security concerns associated with USB products are expected to restrict the growth of the global USB devices market to a certain extent during the forecast period.

Global USB Devices Market Opportunities

Surging Adoption of USB Type- C

In 2014, the USB Type-C standard was released, which claimed to offer a considerable boost in bandwidth and power delivery. The ability to transport data and video simultaneously and ensure fast charging drives the adoption of USB-C in smartphones, laptops, and automobiles. Compared to the successful Type-A and Type-B connections, USB Type-C delivers a new class of capabilities and performance to satisfy future connectivity demands. The USB Type-C standards are mature, and the adoption pace is steady and on schedule.

Furthermore, several laptop and consumer end-equipment manufacturers have already accepted USB Type-C. For example, all the latest Apple MacBook and iPad models currently use USB Type-C for power and data transfer, and many other laptop manufacturers use it for at least one port. In-car charging of phones, tablets, and laptops is also propelling USB-C into automotive applications. Hence, the surging adoption of USB Type-C connections is expected to present a growth opportunity for the vendors operating in the global USB devices market.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global USB devices market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW).

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global USB devices market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. The USB devices market in Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing market. The growing number of smartphone users, advancement in mobile device technologies, and advanced network connectivity in the region are some essential factors that anticipate the rise in USB Devices. Moreover, the major USB device market companies based in the US and the UK are expanding their business in Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, government initiatives to promote digitization and booming digital platforms are the factors in the developing countries of Asia-Pacific.

Europe is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. The European USB devices market is witnessing a high demand for USB device security and data storage solutions. The region has been witnessing tremendous growth in the IT sector, and a considerable amount of data has been generated. Recently, USB devices such as printers, scanners, flash drives, hard disks, and networking devices have been rising due to cross-functionality and ease of use.

The North American region is expected to grow significantly over the next few years because more and more people want better connections between their electronic devices. In North America, the high penetration of this technology can be attributed to universal standards accepted worldwide. USB was designed to eliminate the compatibility issues faced due to various other connectors, such as serial, parallel, and game ports. In recent years, USB-embedded devices such as flash drives, pen drives, hard disks, cameras, keyboards, mice, joysticks, printers, scanners, laptops, and speakers have witnessed tremendous growth due to the cross-compatibility of devices and can be used with multiple devices.

The Rest of the World is segmented into the Middle East and Africa and South America. The market for USB Devices in the Middle East and Africa is expected to witness significant growth due to the rapid digitization in the countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which has triggered the number of connected devices. Companies worldwide are investing and opening hubs in the countries mentioned above to tap the untapped markets as these regions are forecasted to witness gradual growth in predicted periods due to an increase in demand for better connectivity performance solutions.

Furthermore, the market in South America is expected to show significant growth during the forecast period. As the market matures, companies will look for more USB solutions. The rise in per capita disposable income, internet penetration, increase in the sale of smartphones, and the need for cross-platform universal storage solutions are anticipated to promote the growth of the USB devices market in the region during the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global USB devices market is segmented by type, product, connector type, and application.

By type, the global market is divided into USB 1.0, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and others.

The USB 3.0 segment is responsible for the largest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% over the forecast period. USB 3.0 is also known as the SuperSpeed USB. USB 3.0 ports have nine pins and can transmit data at a maximum rate of 5 Gigabits per second, increased full bus power, improved power management, and new connectors and cables that facilitate higher transfer speeds and additional capacity. Additionally, USB 3.0 offered data transmission in two directions, meaning downloads and uploads could coincide. USB 3.0 is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports with the same speed limitations.

USB 2.0 transmits data 40 times faster than USB 1.1, with a signaling rate of 480 megabits per second. USB 2.0 ports or cables have become standard for newer computers and external devices. USB 2.0 offers plug-and-play capabilities and heralds the popularity of the USB flash drive. Additionally, it is backward compatible with USB 1.0 and 1.1 ports, offering no speed benefits to older devices but allowing them to operate with newer tech. USB 2.0 devices are high-speed devices that follow the USB 2.0 specification.

By product, the global market is segmented into webcam, USB flash drives, memory card readers, digital audio players, computer peripherals, scanners and printers, and others.

The computer peripherals segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% over the forecast period. A computer peripheral is any external device that provides input and output for the computer. A peripheral device is any auxiliary equipment, such as a computer mouse or keyboard, that connects to and functions with a computer. USB is a serial bus standard that connects peripheral devices to a PC. It is found on many computers, including source devices like MP3 servers. Most printers, external modems, mice, keyboards, handheld computers, smartphones, portable MP3 players, and other PC peripheral devices connect to PCs via USB.

A USB flash drive is a device storing data with both flash memory and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. The majority of USB flash drives are rewritable and detachable. USB flash drives are incredibly durable mechanically since there are no moving parts. In addition, USB flash drives are solid-state devices that are more rugged and less prone to data loss than hard drives. On the other hand, flash drives are much smaller than typical hard drives and can only store a fraction of the data. Even when the power to the devices is switched off, both forms of storage media maintain their data.

By connector type, the global market is divided into Type A, Type B, Type C, and Lightning connectors.

The Type A segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period. USB Type-A connectors, also known as Standard-A connectors, are rectangular and flat. Multiple hosts, including game consoles, media devices, and desktop and laptop computers, frequently had typical Type-A ports. The USB A connection is primarily used on computer host controllers and hubs but is rarely used as an upstream connector on peripheral devices.

USB Type-A connectors, also known as USB standard B connectors, are square with a minor rounding or a colossal square protrusion on the top, depending on the USB version. Type-B connections are found on the opposite end of a USB cable that connects to a peripheral device such as a smartphone, printer, or hard drive. The Type B connection is intended for USB peripherals, such as printers, upstream hub ports, and other significant peripherals. The primary factor for developing USB B connections has been allowing peripheral devices.

By application, the global market is segmented into consumer electronics, IT and telecommunication, automotive, healthcare and medical devices, and others.

The consumer electronics segment owns the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% over the forecast period. USB devices are connected to consumer electronics devices to watch movies, play songs, or even read books on those storage devices—the connectors, cables, and adaptors for USB Type-C for usage in developing consumer electronics applications. The USB Type-C connector can connect both hosts and devices. It makes no difference whether the side of the connector or the end of the cable is placed into the device because of its reversible plug position and cable direction.

USB technology helps improve the user experience in modern vehicles. A USB port is often located immediately on or near the user interface in modern cars. Mobile devices may charge and connect through USB on ports close to or directly on the infotainment system, but remote ports can only be used for charging.

Recent Developments

• January 2023- Kanguru, the US-based Secure Data Storage provider, announced the expansion of its industry-leading Defender® product line of Hardware Encrypted USB Drives with an innovative and market-proven USBtoCloud® portable software app by ClevX*.
• December 2022- India joined the EU in mandating USB-C charging ports on smartphones, as Americans still have to deal with three different types of ports and cables.