PUBLISHER: Global Industry Analysts, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1757853
PUBLISHER: Global Industry Analysts, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1757853
Global Smartphone Nand Memory Market to Reach US$35.2 Billion by 2030
The global market for Smartphone Nand Memory estimated at US$28.6 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$35.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. UMCP, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 2.7% CAGR and reach US$16.2 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the EMCP segment is estimated at 4.5% CAGR over the analysis period.
The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$7.8 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 6.4% CAGR
The Smartphone Nand Memory market in the U.S. is estimated at US$7.8 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$7.0 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 6.4% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.5% and 2.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.0% CAGR.
Can NAND Memory Keep Up With the Exploding Data Needs of Mobile Computing?
As smartphones become the primary computing device for billions, the demand for high-speed, high-capacity storage has skyrocketed-making NAND flash memory a mission-critical component of mobile architecture. Unlike traditional storage systems, NAND memory enables rapid access to vast volumes of data, supporting applications from 4K video to AI-driven image processing. UFS (Universal Flash Storage) and eMMC technologies dominate the smartphone sector, with UFS 3.1 and 4.0 delivering unprecedented speeds. The move toward 5G and cloud-native apps is further stressing the need for low-latency, energy-efficient storage. Multilevel cell (MLC) and triple-level cell (TLC) NAND are commonly used in mid-range and premium phones, while quad-level cell (QLC) is gaining traction in flagship models. Leading manufacturers like Samsung, Kioxia, SK Hynix, and Micron are constantly pushing the limits of 3D NAND, stacking over 200 layers to achieve higher density in smaller footprints. Edge AI processing, on-device machine learning, and mobile gaming are all driving NAND’s evolution. Meanwhile, tighter integration between NAND and processors is enabling faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and better battery efficiency. In this high-stakes race, smartphone NAND memory is no longer just storage-it's performance-critical infrastructure.
How Is 3D NAND Reshaping the Memory Landscape for Mobile Devices?
The advent of 3D NAND technology has revolutionized memory performance by enabling vertical stacking of memory cells, dramatically increasing storage capacity without expanding device size. 3D NAND allows for significantly improved write endurance, lower power consumption, and faster read/write operations-perfectly suited for the compact and energy-sensitive nature of smartphones. As layers have increased from 64 to over 200 in cutting-edge chips, storage densities have surged to over 1 TB in flagship devices. Innovations such as Charge Trap Flash (CTF) and wordline stacking have allowed for further miniaturization while maintaining data integrity. 3D NAND also enables faster OS boot times, app responsiveness, and lag-free gaming. With UFS 4.0, data speeds up to 4,200 MB/s are now feasible, redefining user expectations. Moreover, the move toward LPDDR5x and on-device AI requires NAND that can work in tandem with RAM and SoCs in real-time. These advances are being rapidly commercialized by top-tier OEMs to enhance multitasking, support AR/VR apps, and future-proof devices for emerging workloads like AI avatars and 8K video processing. As 3D NAND approaches even higher layer counts, the leap from storage to real-time computing enabler is already underway.
Are Next-Gen Apps Demanding A Paradigm Shift In Mobile Storage Strategy?
From real-time video editing to large-scale offline maps and AI-powered assistants, the storage needs of modern smartphones are growing more sophisticated and diverse. App sizes have increased significantly, with many requiring over 1 GB of local storage, while cached data and background analytics inflate storage demand exponentially. Users are also capturing more 4K and 8K video, which requires not just more space but faster writing speeds. Social media, now a hub for commerce, livestreaming, and AR filters, necessitates NAND that can handle constant data cycles. In emerging markets, where cloud access may be limited, local storage capacity is even more vital. OEMs are responding by increasing base storage tiers, often starting at 128GB, with 256GB or 512GB becoming standard in premium phones. NAND must now support secure boot, encryption, and real-time telemetry in tandem. Meanwhile, NAND’s endurance and failure rates become crucial in regions where devices are used extensively over long lifecycles. This shift in usage patterns demands NAND that is not only fast and capacious but also highly resilient and thermally stable. The smartphone is now a mobile data center-and NAND memory is its foundational layer.
The Growth In The Smartphone NAND Memory Market Is Driven By Several Factors-What’s Fueling The Expansion?
The growth in the smartphone NAND memory market is driven by several factors rooted in technology upgrades, end-use evolution, and data-heavy user behaviors. The shift to 5G is a major driver, as it enables high-speed downloads, AR streaming, and high-resolution uploads-all of which require fast and capacious storage. The rise in premium and mid-tier devices offering 128GB+ default storage is another push factor. Additionally, OEMs are adopting faster NAND standards like UFS 4.0 to support AI imaging, gaming, and real-time analytics. Increasing content creation-especially in video-and offline storage of large apps in emerging markets are further accelerating demand. NAND’s integration with SoCs for AI and security operations is also expanding its role from passive storage to active computing support. More broadly, growing smartphone usage in developing economies and longer replacement cycles are encouraging durable, high-endurance NAND designs. Finally, innovations in 3D NAND stacking and falling cost-per-bit metrics are making high-capacity storage more accessible across pricing tiers, collectively powering robust growth in the market.
SCOPE OF STUDY:
The report analyzes the Smartphone Nand Memory market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:
Segments:
Type (UMCP, EMCP, EMMC, UFS); Application (Smartphones, Tablets)
Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.
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