Mobile device design is increasingly reliant on integrated platforms, which are chipsets based on combinations of application processor, baseband processor, and wireless connectivity technologies. In 2012, 19% of handsets shipped were based on an integrated platform; set to more than double to 46% in 2018. “Integrated solutions are used in many handsets from mass-market smartphones to flagship smartphones and will eventually find their way into feature phones,” noted research director Philip Solis. “One industry dynamic mitigating the need for integrated platforms are device reference designs and related services offered by semiconductor vendors.”
Qualcomm certainly benefits from its integrated platform products as it offers a large number of them with different features. Currently, only Qualcomm integrates wireless connectivity into its products, and is the only vendor offering integrated solutions including application processors, baseband processors, and wireless connectivity. ABI Research expects other suppliers to eventually catch up, with Intel and Broadcom looking the most significant competitors.
In 2012, 80% of handsets shipped were based on a single-core processor. This will flip by 2018 with 92% of handsets using a dual-core or higher application processor. This includes quad-core processors consisting of 4 cores or 4.4 (big.LITTLE, sometimes referred to as “octacore”) cores. In 2018, over one billion smartphones will ship with quad-core processors.
Also, in 2012, 12% of handsets included LTE. This will increase to 35% of all handsets, with a small percentage of these being singlemode LTE. Naturally, all of these changes are much more pronounced in smartphones with the feature phone market seeing these trends later even as feature phones give way to smartphones.
These findings are part of ABI Research’s fully revamped Mobile Device Semiconductor Research Service.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
About ABI Research
ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.
ABI Research 是一家全球性的技术情报公司,拥有得天独厚的优势,充当终端市场公司和技术解决方案提供商之间的桥梁,通过提供独家研究和专业性指导,推动成功的技术实施和提供经证明可吸引和留住客户的战略,无缝连接这两大主体。
For more information about ABI Research’s services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.
Americas: +1.516.624.2542
Europe: +44.(0).203.326.0142
Asia: +65 6950.5670