The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting 5G deployments at chipmakers, telecom carriers and end markets. Qualcomm previously was keen on gaining an upper hand in the 5G market, but has now found it necessary to devote more efforts to defend its share in the 4G segment. Meanwhile, 5G smartphone chip prices are expected to continue falling, but at a slower rate, in the second half of 2020, as competition in the segment becomes less intense with Huawei likely banished from the game. In 2020, global ODM smartphone shipments are expected to drop 13.5%, according to Digitimes Research.
Qualcomm ramps up 7nm wafer production at TSMC, sources say: Qualcomm has increased its 7nm chip orders placed with TSMC looking to regain its 4G SoC market share, according to industry sources.
5G smartphone chip prices likely to fall more slowly in 2H20: Unit prices for 5G smartphone chips, which have been pushed down to between US$70 and US$80 from over US$100 previously, will continue dropping but likely at a slow rate in the second half of 2020, according to industry sources.
Global ODM smartphone shipments to fall 13.5% in 2020: Glogal ODM smartphone shipments are expected to reach 260 million units in 2020, down 41.6 million units or 13.5% from a year earlier, according to Digitimes Research.