Display Technology
Big growth, big challenges ahead for multi-touch digital device market
The multi-touch digital device market is experiencing a significant growth surge thanks to advancing tech and young consumer adoption. But there are more than a few challenges ahead as well.
February 11, 2025 by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
There is robust growth ahead for the multi-touch digital device market – 12.52% growth annually — with the market predicted to hit a value of $617.7 billion by 2023, according to a Wiseguy Research report.
That is clearly encouraging news to all those innovating in the display and digital signage realm.
Multi-touch digital devices are defined as devices featuring screens that can detect and respond to multiple points of contact simultaneously. This allows users to interact using two or more fingers or styluses which then leads to functionality for gestures — think pinch to zoom, swipe, rotate and multi-finger scrolling.
All these functionalities can provide a more intuitive and immersive user experience. Familiar examples are smartphones and tablets, laptops and desktops and interactive kiosks and POS systems. Some of the latest innovations are taking place in the automobile industry given touchscreens for navigation, entertainment and vehicle control.
Yet, for as many factors driving the market's significant surge there are challenges facing the market.
Factors driving growth
"The multi-touch digital device market is driven significantly by several sectors which have contributed to market growth in recent years," Aarti Dhapte, research manager at Wiseguy Research Consultants, said in an email interview.
"The consumer electronics sector has seen higher market penetration in multi-touch digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets and wearables devices. There are key factors that influence the market such as, there are higher demand for seamless user interface applications."
Two top drivers, according to Wiseguy research, are technological advancement and an increasing demand for user-friendly and interactive devices across many sectors, from consumer electronics to automotive.
Multi-touch technology enables more immersive and engaging user experiences in applications such as interactive whiteboards, digital signage, self-service kiosks and nearly every new mobile and computing device now boasts a multi touch interface, according to the Wiseguy research.
In response, consumer preference for smart, responsive devices keeps growing.
"Many consumers are expecting higher responsiveness and an intuitive touch experience. It is leading to the widespread adoption of multi-touch technologies in various applications like smartphones, laptops, and gaming devices," said Dhapte.
"Multi-touch technology has seen a revolution that enhances user experience across all devices. Capacitive touchscreen technology is dominating the market due to its superior sensitivity responsiveness as well as accuracy. It has led to higher integration into smartphones, tablets, and laptops."
Dhapte pointed to established manufacturers like Apple and Samsung utilizing advanced multi-touch capabilities to provide intuitive interaction. One example is the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, which Samsung debuted In May 2024, that boasts multi-touch capabilities built on platforms like Microsoft copilot+ PC platform.
"This device provides multi-touch technology incorporated into laptops to provide improved functionality and interactivity," said Dhapte.
In addition to features, today's multi touch devices are getting more accurate, more responsive and more cost effective. Optical bonding and nanocoating technologies are enhancing touch screen performance by making devices more responsive and resistant to environmental factors like dust and water.
"Multi-touch technology has seen a revolution that enhances user experience across all devices," said Dhapte. "Capacitive touchscreen technology is dominating the market due to its superior sensitivity responsiveness as well as accuracy. It has led to higher integration into smartphones, tablets, and laptops."
The consumer role
When it comes to user adoption of multi-touch devices, it is the young generations playing an important role, specifically millennials and Gen Z.
"Millennials as well as Gen Z are more inclined towards to adopting new technologies and more interested in device support advanced functionalities such as gesture recognition and haptic feedback," said Dhapte. "That generational preference is pushing manufacturers to innovate new technologies and product development."
Dhapte calls millennials and Gen Z mobile-first consumers.
"[They are} often accessing information, shopping, and communicating through their smartphones."
Market challenges in play
For every factor spurring market growth there is a challenge – including the high manufacturing costs given complex processes and use of advanced materials such as indium tin oxide and glass substrates.
Additional challenges are screen durability, precision and response times. Then there is the increasing demand for devices with higher screen resolution and more advanced features (e.g., flexible displays).
Security is also fast becoming a major challenge as multi-touch devices are increasingly being used for financial transactions, personal communication and business operations. Ensuring protection of data is critical.
The ongoing global shortage in semiconductor chips and key material have created more pressure on production timelines and increased costs for manufacturers, said Dhapte.
Supply chain disruption comes into play as well, as it creates adverse impacts on overall production process as well as capital expenditure.
"Higher capital production cost creates a barrier for many small and medium manufacturer. This is due to higher expensive raw material procurement as well as integration of the complex manufacturing process it requires for multi touch screen, especially advanced ones like foldable panels or OLED panels," said Dhapte.
Growth bodes well for digital screen makers
Despite the many challenges, the market's growth should be a boon for digital screen manufacturers, specifically those in the automotive display arena.
Car makers are increasingly integrating multi-touch displays into dashboards and infotainment systems. The trend is expected to continue as car manufacturers focus on improving user experience and integrating more advanced technology into vehicles, according to the research data.
"As vehicle manufacturers are increasingly digitalized, there are demand for high quality display rise in recent years. It includes applications such as clusters and infotainment systems to head-up displays and rear-seat entertainment," said Dhapte.
Manufacturers can capitalize on the demand for advanced display technologies like OLED, mini-LED, and micro-LED, which offer superior picture quality, better contrast, and wider viewing angles.
"There is a rise in autonomous driving and connected cars, it will create newer opportunities for innovative display applications like augmented reality head-up displays that project critical information directly onto the windshield," said Dhapte.
About Judy Mottl
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