Ambient Light Sensor Market Size

Ambient Light Sensor Market Size

The global ambient light sensor market was valued at USD 926.1 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% to reach USD 2.6 billion by 2034. The growth of the ambient light sensor industry is attributed to factors such as increasing increased adoption of these sensors in consumer electronics and automotive application for ADAS features.

The rapid proliferation of smartphone, laptops, tablets, and smart TVs is one of the leading factor driving the demand for ambient light sensor worldwide. Ambient light sensing capabilities are increasingly becoming a sought-after feature by customers in latest smartphones, laptops, smart TVs and other consumer electronic devices, allowing the device to adjust screen brightness as per the natural light condition around the device. The increasing demand for enhanced device's battery life, premium user experience, and more comfortable viewing experience are driving the adoption of ambient light sensors in consumer devices.  
 

According to Statista, in 2023, 1.33 billion smartphones were shipped worldwide, and the market of smartphones grew by 7.8% in 2024 indicating a significant growth potential for ambient light sensors in smartphones. Similarly, smart TV ownership is expected to reach 1.1 billion units by 2026 which will significantly drive the sales of ambient light sensor.  As manufacturers continuously aim to improve the user experience, increase battery life, and maximize screen-to-body ratios, the demand for ambient light sensors will grow as they enable maximum edge-to-edge display screen size – with sensor operation under the display. 
 

Investments in ultra-thin (sub 0.3mm) ambient light sensors with multi-colour detection capabilities are anticipated to open up significant future opportunities for securing contracts with leading consumer electronics manufacturers. 
 

Ambient light sensor is gaining high traction in automotive applications as they play a pivotal role in enabling advanced features such as adaptive headlight controls, and automatic dashboard brightness adjustments, auto-dimming IRVMs, animated turn indicators etc., enhancing driver comfort, improving visibility, and elevating the overall in-car experience. Ambient LED lighting has become a key design differentiation feature for automotive manufacturers.
 

According to Highway Loss Data Institute, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S., the number of vehicles enabled with adaptive headlights in the U.S. is expected to increase to 14% by 2027 showcasing significant growth opportunities for ambient light sensors. Established automotive OEMs are providing ambient lighting extensively across their latest and luxury models, driving the demand of ambient light sensors during the forecast period.
 

Focusing on developing automotive grade-ambient light sensors solutions to meet the upcoming Euro NCAP 2025+ requirements for adaptive driving beam systems could enable sensor manufacturers to establish long-term partnerships with leading automotive OEMs and gain significant market share in Europe.
 

Additionally, the development of multi-spectral ambient light sensors with machine learning capabilities to distinguish between natural and artificial lights could open up new opportunities in applications such as emergency braking and pedestrian detection.