Although multi-core processors are common today
in notebook PCs, they are only beginning to become common place in
other mobile devices, according to In-Stat.
In-Stat projects 2010 will be a key year for adoption of multi-core
processors in netbooks and smartphones in 2010, while MIDs/UMPCs will
see uptake in 2011, and CE devices will follow during 2012/2013.
The
use of multiple cores is more common with the x86 architecture today
due to it’s dominance in the notebook PC segment. However, the ARM
architecture will see a higher growth rate as the architecture
transitions to multi-core configurations. By 2013, almost 88% of the
processors sold into the mobile market segment will be multi-core
processors.
“Integration of graphics/multimedia acceleration is a
key trend as well”, says Jim McGregor, In-Stat analyst. “While
multi-core dominates in the high performance mobile computing segments,
integration of graphics/multimedia acceleration favors the smartphone,
MID/UMPC and mobile entertainment device segment.”
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
-
The mobile market for merchant processing solutions is expected to grow
at a 22.3% CAGR through 2013. By 2013, the market is projected to grow
to about 775 million units. - The battle for the
fast-growing mobile semiconductor market will intensify beginning in
late 2009 and throughout 2010 with the introduction of new multi-core
processors from each camp—ARM and x86.
Recent In-Stat research covers
the worldwide market for mobile merchant market processors, including
CPUs, applications processors, and baseband processors. It includes:
- Forecasts of the TAM for mobile processors by
application, and market value TAM of silicon functions in mobile
devices, through 2013. - Processor and vendor profiles of: Anyka, AMD, Broadcom,
Chipnuts, Freescale, Intel, Jade Chip, Marvell, MtekVision, NVIDIA,
Pollux, Qualcomm, Renesas, Samsung, Texas Instruments, VIA
Technologies, and Vimicro. - Examination of the competing architectures and integration trends for multiple cores, graphics, I/O, and baseband functionality.
