• Apple's chipset shipments have surged to 18% globally in Q3, up from 13% in Q2, due to the launch of its A18 chipset.
• MediaTek's shipments increased slightly to 36% in Q3, while Qualcomm's declined to 26% due to seasonality.
• Samsung's Exynos saw a slight increase in shipments following the launch of the Galaxy S24 FE with the Exynos 2400.
• The global chipset market is witnessing a dynamic shift with the launch of new chipsets and the rise in shipments from major players like Apple, MediaTek, and Samsung.

Apple, the renowned tech giant, has recently experienced a significant increase in its chipset shipments. The shipments rose to 18% globally in the third quarter of this year, marking an increase from 13% in Q2 2024. This surge is primarily attributed to the launch of its innovative A18 chipset.

The Cupertino-based tech giant has recently unveiled two chipsets - the A18 and A18 Pro. These chipsets are now integral to the new iPhone 16 base models and iPhone 16 Pro models, respectively. The A18 Pro, in particular, has been praised for its unprecedented efficiency.

The A18 Pro boasts a new 16-core Neural Engine that is faster and more efficient than its predecessor. This powerful engine is responsible for powering remarkable on-device performance for Apple Intelligence.

Apple's Competitors in the Chipset Market

However, Apple is not the only player in the chipset market. MediaTek, another major player, saw its overall shipments increase slightly to 36% in Q3 2024, up from 34% in Q2. The report noted that while 5G shipments remained flat, LTE chipset shipments increased. Premium-tier shipments are expected to rise due to the early launch of the Dimensity 9400.

On the other hand, Qualcomm's shipments declined to 26% in Q3 2024, down from 30% in Q2, due to seasonality. Despite this, the company is expected to regain momentum with the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6 series, which will drive shipments for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Qualcomm also recently launched the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which has already won design contracts with multiple OEMs, indicating a positive future for the company.

The Future of the Chipset Market

Samsung's Exynos also saw a slight sequential increase in shipments in Q3 2024, following the launch of the Galaxy S24 FE with the Exynos 2400. Additionally, shipments of the Exynos 1480 and Exynos 1380 have increased due to the high shipment volumes for the Galaxy A55 and A35.

Meanwhile, UNISOC, another chipset player, saw its shipments decline sequentially in Q3 2024. Despite this, UNISOC continues to gain share in the low-tier price bands (under $99), driven by its LTE portfolio. The company also launched a new chipset - the T620 - in Q4, which already has design wins with itel for the SS25 and SS25 Ultra.

The iPhone 16 Pro models, equipped with the A18 Pro chipset, offer a range of innovative features. The Camera Control, a result of thoughtful hardware and software integration, makes the pro camera system more versatile. It allows users to quickly launch the camera, take a photo, and start video recording. A new camera preview helps users frame the shot and adjust other control options - such as zoom, exposure, or depth of field - to compose a stunning photo or video by sliding their finger on the Camera Control.