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The market for smartphone-controlled drones has expanded dramatically during the past few years. As drone technology continues to progress, manufacturers are releasing increasingly sophisticated drones into the market every few months. Drones are usually employed for commercial and personal purposes these days, although in the past they were mostly used for military objectives. The ease of controlling drones with a smartphone has led to a significant growth in their use in recent times. An app for a smartphone must be downloaded and synchronized with the drone in order to operate one using a smartphone. These apps are readily available for iOS and Android users, which contributes to the popularity of these drones.
The smartphone-controlled drone market is witnessing significant trends fueled by the increasing integration of drones into consumer lifestyles and the growing demand for user-friendly interfaces. A notable trend is the emphasis on intuitive smartphone controls for drone operation. Manufacturers are designing drones with simplified mobile apps that allow users to control and navigate the drone using their smartphones. This trend caters to a broad user base, including beginners and hobbyists, by providing a familiar and accessible interface, promoting widespread adoption of smartphone-controlled drones.
Moreover, there is a shift towards the development of advanced features and functionalities in smartphone apps dedicated to drone control. Manufacturers are incorporating intelligent flight modes, automated navigation, and enhanced camera controls into these apps. This trend aligns with the desire to offer users a seamless and immersive experience, allowing them to capture high-quality photos and videos effortlessly. The integration of features like follow-me mode, waypoints, and gesture control enhances the versatility and appeal of smartphone-controlled drones.
The market is also witnessing a trend towards increased connectivity and communication capabilities between drones and smartphones. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies are commonly employed to establish stable connections, enabling real-time video streaming, telemetry data display, and instant access to captured media. This trend enhances the overall user experience by providing instant feedback and enabling users to share their drone adventures on social media platforms directly from their smartphones.
Furthermore, there is a growing focus on the development of foldable and portable drones that can be easily controlled through smartphones. Compact and foldable designs make these drones highly convenient for users who prioritize portability and on-the-go adventures. This trend aligns with the increasing demand for travel-friendly drones that can be easily carried in backpacks, allowing users to capture aerial footage and photos in various locations effortlessly.
The integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) features in smartphone-controlled drone apps is another noteworthy trend. AR overlays and VR headset compatibility enhance the immersive experience for users, allowing them to see the drone's perspective in real-time or engage in virtual flight simulations. This trend reflects the ongoing convergence of drone technology with augmented and virtual reality, creating engaging and interactive experiences for users.
Moreover, the market is responding to environmental and sustainability considerations by incorporating eco-friendly features into smartphone-controlled drones. Manufacturers are exploring energy-efficient designs, recyclable materials, and environmentally conscious manufacturing practices. This trend aligns with the broader industry push towards sustainability and reflects the growing awareness of environmental impact among consumers.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced trends in the smartphone-controlled drone market, with a noticeable surge in demand for recreational and entertainment drones as people sought outdoor activities during lockdowns. The pandemic has reinforced the role of drones as a source of entertainment, exploration, and creative expression, contributing to the continued growth of the smartphone-controlled drone market.
Smartphone-Controlled Drone Market is estimated to register the highest CAGR of around 18% during the forecast period, by 2032.
Smartphone-Controlled Drone Market has been growing significantly in the last few years. With the continuous evolution of drone technology, manufacturers are bringing in more advanced drones to the market every few months. Earlier drones were primarily used for military purposes, whereas they are now mostly are used for commercial and personal purposes. Currently, the use of drones operated by smartphones has increased drastically due to the drones are easy to control by using a smartphone. To fly drones using a smartphone, the user must download a mobile phone app and sync it with the drone. These apps are easily available for both Android phones and iOS users, which make such drones popular.
The advantage of smartphone-controlled drones over other drones is that these are extremely easy to use. They feature an HD camera that streams video to the user’s phone and is less expensive as compared to other drones. The restraints to this market are short per-battery flight time and difficulty in operating during poor weather conditions.
Segmentation of the Global Smartphone Controlled Drone Market
The global smartphone-controlled drone market has been segmented into component, application, range, and region. Based on component, the global market has been segmented into airframe, controller & navigation system, propulsion system, and others. The controller & navigation system segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing development of the controller & navigation system of the smartphone-controlled drone by major manufacturers globally.
Based on application, the global market has been divided into commercial and personal. The personal segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing use of drones for personal use.
Based on range, the global market has been bifurcated into less than 150 meters and more than 150 meters. The less than 150 meters segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing demand for short-range smartphone-controlled drones in the last few years.
Based on region, the global market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The North American market comprises the US and Canada. North America dominated the smartphone-controlled drone market in 2017, due to the increased applications of drones. The region leads the global market in terms of technological advancements, purchasing power, and has a large number of applications of drones, such as recreational photography & videography and drone racing & sports. Europe accounted for the second-largest market share in 2018. The key drivers for the market in this region are the increasing joint ventures and partnerships and rapid technological advancements. Asia-Pacific was a prominent market for smartphone-controlled drones in 2018. A key factor driving the growth of the market is the availability of low-cost drones in the region. In China, there are several smartphone-controlled drone manufacturers who are focusing on reducing the drone weight by using lightweight fiber materials, focusing on the aesthetic features and ergonomics of drones, and designing user-friendly drones.
Key Players
The key players in the global smartphone-controlled drone market are 3DR (US), CONTIXO (US), DBPOWER (China), DJI (China), Draganfly Innovations Inc. (Canada), GoPro, Inc. (US), Guangdong Cheerson Hobby Technology Company Limited (China), Kidcia (China), and Parrot Drones SAS (France).
Research Methodology
The market values and forecast are derived using the Market Research Future (MRFR) research methodology, which includes secondary research, primary interviews, data triangulation, and validation from an in-house data repository and statistical modeling tools.
In this process, data is collected from various secondary sources, including annual reports, SEC filings, journals, government associations, aerospace & defense magazines, white papers, corporate presentations, company websites, and paid databases.
In this process, both the demand- and supply-side parties are interviewed to extract facts and insights into the market forecast, production, trends, and projected market growth. Industry stakeholders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives across the value chain are approached to obtain key information.
Key Insights
Market sizing, forecast, and analysis: detailed coverage of the market segment and sub-segments
Regional/country trends and forecast: detailed analysis of the market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America, along with key countries in each region
Market dynamics intelligence: market drivers, opportunities, trends, restraints, Porter’s five forces, supply chain, and value chain analysis
Technology trends, regulatory landscape, and patent analysis outlook
Competitive intelligence: market share analysis, financial analysis, product benchmarking, and strategic developments including joint ventures, product launches, and mergers & acquisitions
Regional attractiveness and related growth opportunities
Report Customization
MRFR offers report customization to valued customers. Below are the options available for customization:
In-depth profiling of additional market players (3 to 4 companies)
Detailed analysis of a country-level market and related segments as per the report scope (subject to data availability)
Intended Audience
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