2016/02/03 Strategy Analytics: LTE Basebands Register Strong Growth in Q3 2015

Qualcomm Maintains Lead but MediaTek and Samsung LSI Gain Share

Boston, MA - February 1, 2016 - The global cellular baseband processor market declined -12 percent year-over-year to reach $5.1 billion in Q3 2015, according to Strategy Analytics Handset Component Technologies service report, “Baseband Market Share Tracker Q3 2015: LTE Basebands Accounted for Three-Fourths of Total Baseband Revenue.”

Click here for this report: http://sa-link.cc/X7

This Strategy Analytics research report estimates that Qualcomm, MediaTek, Samsung LSI, Spreadtrum and HiSilicongrabbed the top-five baseband revenue share spots in Q3 2015. Qualcomm faced strong competition but maintained its baseband market share leadership with 55 percent revenue share, followed by MediaTek with 23 percent revenue share and Samsung LSI with 7 percent revenue share, narrowly ahead of Spreadtrum. Except for LTE basebands, all other baseband segments declined year-over-year in Q3 2015. As a result overall baseband revenue declined -12 percent year-over-year.

Stephen Entwistle, Vice President of the Strategy Analytics Strategic Technologies Practice, commented, “In the face of increased LTE baseband competition and high-end Android smartphone slowdown, Qualcomm’s LTE baseband unit share dropped to 60 percent in Q3 2015, by Strategy Analytics estimates. Despite share losses, Qualcomm managed a double-digit year-over-year growth in its LTE baseband shipments in Q3 2015, thanks to its mid-range Snapdragon chips, which performed well. Strategy Analytics predicts Qualcomm’s promising Snapdragon 820 will help Qualcomm in its quest to regain market share in 2016.”

According to Sravan Kundojjala, Associate Director of the Strategy Analytics Handset Component Technologiesservice, “MediaTek’s LTE growth story continued in Q3 2015. MediaTek registered almost a five-fold year-over-year LTE baseband shipment growth on the strength of its LTE momentum in China and other emerging markets. MediaTek’s mid-range and high-end LTE chips all performed well during the quarter and featured in multiple high volume handsets from Chinese OEMs such as Xiaomi, Lenovo, Huawei, ZTE, TCL, Meizu, Oppo and others.”

Stuart Robinson, Executive Director, added, “Despite drawing one hundred percent of their shipments from their in-house customer, Samsung LSI and HiSilicon both made good progress and ranked number three and four, respectively in the LTE baseband market in Q3 2015. Samsung LSI’s LTE basebands featured in flagship Galaxy S and Note series devices and mid-range Galaxy A and J series phones from Samsung Mobile while HiSilicon’s scored multiple high volume design-wins at its parent company Huawei. Strategy Analytics predicts continued baseband success for both Samsung LSI and HiSilicon on the strength of their broadening product portfolio and increased traction at in-house customer. It remains to be seen whether these companies can replicate their success outside their in-house customers.”
Source: Strategy Analytics