Qualcomm will manage to extend its lead in the smartphone applications processor market in the second half of 2016 thanks to its competitive high-end and mid-range solutions, according to Digitimes Research.
Qualcomm's high-end and mid-range chips for smartphones are all built using Samsung's 14nm process technology. The Snapdragon 821 is only a minor performance upgrade over the 820, and has become popular among smartphone manufacturers, said Digitimes Research.
MediaTek is losing its competitiveness to Qualcomm due to late availability of its 16nm chips. Meanwhile, with competitors promoting 14/16nm chips for both the mid-range and high-end segments, MediaTek will gradually phase out 20nm solutions in favor of 16nm, Digitimes Research indicated.
MediaTek has already seen several of its customers shift to Qualcomm's processors due to misalignment between its supply planning and actual demand, Digitimes Research said.
Spreadtrum is looking to transition to 16nm chips, but the solutions are still immature to satisfy customers. Therefore, 28nm chips will remain Spreadtrum's major product line until 2017, and the company continues to make low price its strategy, Digitimes Research said.
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