The APAC rugged phones market is expected to grow from US$ 553.71 million in 2019 to US$ 993.90 million by 2027; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.8 % from 2020 to 2027.
Advanced technology collaboration with rugged phones is expected to accelerate the APAC rugged phones market. The rising demand for rugged mobile phones with differentiated features to meet the ever-changing needs of industrial and safety applications is anticipated to grow at an impressive pace in the coming years across APAC. However, to meet these requirements rugged phone manufacturers will have to continuously invest in technology upgradations and to integrate advanced features in their product offerings. The rugged phones manufacturers across APAC are offering consumer rugged/semi-rugged phones and also ultra-rugged phones depending on end user requirements. A few of the key vendors in semi-rugged category across APAC are Caterpillar, Blackview, and Samsung. The ultra-rugged is a niche category of rugged phones designed to withstand harsh and hazardous conditions. Sonim Technologies Inc. is one of the key players operating in this category. Also, the integration of features such as thermal imaging camera and 5G capability in rugged phones to increase their attractiveness in industries and to make their performance better is driving the growth of APAC market. A few of the key players across APAC who are integrating such advanced features and capabilities in their rugged phones are Caterpillar, Blackview, OUKITEL, and Ulefone Mobile. All such technological advancements in rugged phones are expected to drive the APAC rugged phones market during forecast period.
Countries in APAC, especially India, are adversely affected due to the COVID-19 outbreak. APAC is one of the crucial regions for the future growth of the rugged phones market owing to the presence of key developing countries, huge industrial presence, high military & defense expenditure, and favorable government policies to boost industrial growth. However, the ongoing outbreak pandemic is hindering the growth of various industries in APAC. The lockdown and reduced capacity of various plants/factories in major APAC countries are adversely affecting the supply and demand balance; thus, disrupting the manufacturing activities, delivery schedules, and various products demand in the region. In 2020, industrial activities, new projects, research & development investments, and delivery schedules have seen a decline due to lack of raw material supply and unavailability of labor due to the various restrictions imposed by governments in APAC countries. Most of the rugged phones companies have their manufacturing plants in China; thus, impact of COVID-19 outbreak on Chinese economy has directly hampered the revenues of these companies due to interrupted manufacturing and supply chain disruptions. All these factors are restraining the growth of the rugged phones market in APAC.
Based on screen size, the 5 inch to 6 inch segment led the APAC rugged phones market in 2019. Rugged phones are available in display size from 5 to 6 inch. Companies across APAC such as Ulefone, AGM Mobile, Blackview, and Nomu are involved in the business of providing rugged phones with a screen size of 5–6 inch. For instance, Ulefone Armour 2 phone has a rugged design with rubber padding near the edges. The product comes with an IP68 rating and has a 5-inch full HD display. Similarly, AGM X2 is another rugged phone with IP68 rating and MIL-STD—810G Military standard durability. The phone has a 5.5 inch AMOLED panel contained inside a tough casing. Blackview BV7000 Pro, Cat S62 Pro rugged smartphone, and Nomu M6 are other rugged phones with a 5 inch HD display. Advantages of 5 to 6 inch screen size such as rough and tough hardware, HD display, highly durable for military, and dust proof are expected to increase its demand in coming years, which would drive the APAC rugged phones market.
The overall APAC rugged phones market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining an overview and forecast for the APAC rugged phones market with respect to all the segments pertaining to the region. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, rugged phones market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the APAC rugged phones market. AGM MOBILE; Blackview; Caterpillar Inc.; DOOGEE; OUKITEL; Sonim Technologies Inc.; Ulefone Mobile; Unitech Electronics Co., LTD; and Zebra Technologies Corporation are among the players operating in the market.