ARM architecture for application processors (APs) remains the mainstay for mobile applications, with the top five suppliers of ARM architecture-based APs - Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, MediaTek and Spreadtrum - currently accounting for around 90% of the market. Digitimes Research looks at each supplier's strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive analysis of technology, architecture, product positioning and shipments, providing the industry with an overview of the latest trends and developments in the AP industry.
Abstract
Application processors (AP) have developed rapidly from mobile communications products into an increasingly wide range of applications, including the PC and server sectors. While ARM architectures remain the mainstay for mobile applications, x86-based APs are making progress rapid enough to concern those in the ARM camp. The top five suppliers of ARM architecture-based APs - Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, MediaTek and Spreadtrum, currently account for around 90% of the market. Digitimes Research looks at each supplier's strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive analysis of technology, architecture, product positioning and shipments, providing the industry with an overview of the latest trends and developments in the AP industry.
Table of contents
Introduction
Smartphone core performance and architecture development trends
Chart 1: Comparison of performance and power consumption for mainstream ARM architectures on 28nm and 20nm processes
Tablets continue to move into sectors traditionally dominated by PCs
Rapid growth of the China market
Chart 2: Greater China AP shipments accounted for 20% of total global shipments in 2012
Head-on confrontation between the ARM and x86 camps
Development of non-standard ARM architectures will be limited
Burden of process technology costs becomes increasingly heavy
The top 5 global AP suppliers in 2012
Chart 3: The top 5 suppliers accounted for about 90% of global APs shipments in 2012
Qualcomm - 2013 development analysis
Analysis of growth trends in 2012-2013
Chart 4: Qualcomm AP shipment growth, 2012-2013 (m chips)
Chart 5: Key factors affecting Qualcomm's AP shipments in 2013
Qualcomm takes the low-price route in the China market
China shipment analysis
Global market and product analysis for Qualcomm
Chart 6: Shipment structure for Qualcomm AP products, 1Q13 (m chips)
Apple - Pursuing its own architecture
Shipment growth will depend on success of its upcoming products
2013 product development roadmap and strategic analysis
Chart 7: Apple processor development, 2012-2013
2013 shipment analysis
Chart 8: Apple AP shipment breakdown by product, 2012
Chart 9: Apple AP shipment breakdown by product, 2013
MediaTek - Strong shipment growth in 2013
MediaTek fights back from China into the international market
Trends in MediaTek product development in 2013
Chart 10: MediaTek's AP products for 2013
2013 shipment analysis and forecasts
Chart 11: Projected breakdown of MediaTek's AP shipments, 2013
Samsung - Leveraging a vertically integrated supply chain
Samsung's goal is to dominate the entire platform
Chart 12: Samsung is a major player throughout the semiconductor supply chain
Trends in Samsung products for 2013
2013 shipment analysis and forecasts
Chart 13: Samsung AP shipment forecast, 2012-2013 (m chips)
Spreadtrum - More challenges in 2013
Spreadtrum intends to move into emerging WCDMA markets
Challenges from Qualcomm, MediaTek, Lenovo and Marvell in 2013
Trends for Spreadtrum products in 2013
Chart 14: Spreadtrum's AP product line for 2013
2013 shipment analysis and forecasts
Chart 15: Breakdown of Spreadtrum's AP shipments, 2012-2013 (m chips)