In-Depth Analysis | Global Handheld Terminal Market to Reach USD 7.64 Billion in 2025, Intelligent Trends Drive Industry Growth

With the wave of digital transformation sweeping the globe, handheld terminals, as essential tools for mobile data collection and communication, play an irreplaceable role in logistics, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and many other industries. According to the latest market research report by WENKH (WENKH Research), the global handheld terminal market is expected to reach USD 7.64 billion in 2025. Over the next seven years, the market is forecast to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.13%, reaching USD 12.37 billion by 2032.

Definition and Core Functions of Handheld Terminals

Handheld terminals, also known as mobile data terminals or portable data terminals, are portable electronic devices integrating data input, output, and real-time communication functions. Typically equipped with barcode scanners, RFID readers, and various data interfaces, these devices enable users to capture, process, and transmit information in real time. Their flexibility and portability make handheld terminals highly efficient tools for inventory management, order processing, asset tracking, and customer interaction across logistics, retail, healthcare, and field service applications.

Product Segmentation: Full-Screen Devices Lead the Market, Keypad Models Retain Niche Applications

The handheld terminal market mainly divides into full-screen and keypad device categories. Full-screen models, with larger displays and more efficient interaction, have become the mainstream product, accounting for approximately 54% of the market and showing the fastest growth. These devices support diverse software interfaces and meet the dual needs of visual clarity and operational convenience in sectors such as logistics, retail, and industrial automation. By contrast, keypad models maintain a niche market presence in extreme environments or blind-operation scenarios due to their physical key feedback advantages, reflecting the market’s accommodation of diverse application demands.

Application Sector Analysis: Courier Industry Leads, Healthcare Experiences Fastest Growth

Handheld terminals are widely applied across courier, logistics, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare industries:

• Courier industry: Due to the high-frequency need for real-time location tracking and delivery confirmation, terminals are extensively deployed with delivery personnel, significantly enhancing delivery efficiency.

• Logistics industry: Dependence on supply chain visibility drives deep application of terminals in warehousing, sorting, and loading/unloading stages, strengthening end-to-end transportation data tracking.

• Retail industry: Handheld terminals enable smart inventory counting, mobile payment, and customer service, optimizing store operations.

• Manufacturing industry: Used for production line data collection and quality control, improving production efficiency and material traceability.

• Healthcare industry: The fastest-growing sector, with handheld terminals facilitating patient identification, medical record retrieval, and medication tracking, promoting digital transformation in hospitals.

• Electric power and transportation sectors: Terminals enable smart upgrades in meter reading, fault inspection, ticket checking, and vehicle dispatching.

Overall, courier services represent the largest application sector, while healthcare shows the greatest growth potential, indicating a trend of expanding from high-frequency operational scenarios to specialized professional applications.

Industry Landscape: Top Players Hold 64% Market Share, Innovation Drives Development

The global handheld terminal market is highly competitive, with the top five manufacturers accounting for approximately 64% of the market. Key players include:

• Zebra Technologies (USA): A leader in barcode printers, RFID devices, and mobile computing terminals, enhancing data visibility and operational efficiency across retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.

• Honeywell (USA): Offers industrial-grade scanners, mobile data terminals, and software platforms, emphasizing intelligence and connectivity in logistics, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.

• DENSO WAVE (Japan): Inventor of the QR code, specializes in high-precision automatic identification and smart manufacturing solutions widely used in automotive, logistics, healthcare, and retail industries.

• Unitech (China): Manufactures handheld data terminals, barcode scanners, industrial tablets, and mobile payment devices, actively expanding both domestic and overseas markets, driving supply chain digitalization in China.

• Panasonic (Japan): The TOUGHBOOK rugged handheld and laptop series enjoy strong market presence in military, emergency response, logistics, and manufacturing sectors, focusing on device reliability and end-to-end data capture.

Other notable competitors include Casio, Tongda, Keyence, and SalesUp Technology, each showing strengths in specialized segments.

Regional Market Dynamics: North America Leads, Asia-Pacific Grows Rapidly

• North America: The hub of technology development and high-end applications, with stable market demand and high requirements for security and system compatibility.

• Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region, with China’s manufacturing strength and market demand forming industrial clusters, Japan and South Korea focusing on high-precision terminals for healthcare and government, and India expanding demand for cost-effective, integrated systems.

• Europe: Steadily advancing digital transformation, emphasizing system reliability and ecosystem compatibility.

• Middle East & Africa: Early-stage digital infrastructure and industrial modernization, with smart city projects driving demand for high-end devices.

• Latin America: Focused on Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, emphasizing localization and after-sales service, expanding terminal applications in urban management and supply chains.

Future Outlook

The handheld terminal market is entering an era of intelligence and information integration. The integration of 5G, IoT, and AI technologies will continually expand device functionalities, enhance business automation, and improve decision-making intelligence. As more industries accelerate digital transformation, handheld terminals will remain vital tools to improve operational efficiency, ensure data accuracy, and enable real-time decision support.

The above data is from the market analysis report "Global Handheld Terminal Market Competitors, Segment Types and Downstream Applications Research Report 2025” released by WENKH. WENKH is a global leading consulting brand for industry segments. We provide segmented market research reports, custom research, white papers and feasibility reports for all industries, focusing on market status and forecasts, competition analysis, market prospects analysis and market positioning. WENKH uses professional data and deep insights to help companies make decisions and promote win-win cooperation.