China smartphone AP shipments, 2Q 2023

Global AP shipments to China-based smartphone brand vendors were up sequentially in the second quarter of 2023, driven by the vendors' inventory preparation for the 618 shopping festival in China, but compared to the same quarter a year ago, the volumes still plunged more than 30% on year, an indication that smartphone AP demand remained in a slump amid China's weakening macroeconomic environment.

Looking into second-half 2023, as smartphone vendors exert efforts to deplete their inventory, their AP inventory level will significantly fall back.

On top of new product launches, inventory preparation for Singles' Day in China and year-end holiday demand in overseas markets, third-quarter 2023 smartphone AP shipments to China-based vendors are estimated to surge 45.2% sequentially. On a year-over-year basis, the volume will enjoy a 6.8% increase, the first on-year growth since third-quarter 2021.

With respect to individual AP suppliers' performance in second-quarter 2023, MediaTek secured the largest market share, at 46.6%, followed by Qualcomm with a 42.4% market share.