Qualcomm Establishes Strong Lead in Smartphone AP Market, Strategy Analytics Reports

The global smartphone applications processor (AP) market declined 5 percent in 2017 to $20.2 billion, Strategy Analytics reported. The top five companies in revenue were Qualcomm, Apple, MediaTek, Samsung LSI and HiSilicon, it said, with Qualcomm gaining share to finish the year at 42 percent revenue share. Apple had 22 percent and MediaTek 15 percent. The research firm estimated 64-bit smartphone AP shipments grew 15 percent, to 88 percent of total smartphone AP shipments, up from 71 percent in 2016. Analyst Sravan Kundojjala called 2017 a “very challenging year for low-cost and high volume players MediaTek and Spreadtrum,” which had sharp shipment declines due to slow road map progress and a steep decline in 3G AP demand. Qualcomm flagship and mid-range APs gained “strong acceptance” in 2017, said SA.