MediaTek continues to dominate the global smartphone chip market, extending its lead over Qualcomm in the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. The Taiwanese semiconductor company accounted for 36% of the market, marking a 6-point increase from the previous quarter.
Despite a partial recovery by Qualcomm, which grew from 25% to 28%, MediaTek’s consistent performance has kept it firmly in the top spot. These figures highlight the ongoing shift in mobile SoC (system-on-chip) dominance, particularly in the mid-range and entry-level segments, where MediaTek has a strong presence.
Global Smartphone Chipset Market Share — Q1 2025
| Manufacturer | Q3 2023 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 | Q1 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MediaTek | 38% | 37% | 41% | 34% | 37% | 30% | 36% |
| Qualcomm | 26% | 21% | 27% | 30% | 25% | 25% | 28% |
| Apple | 17% | 20% | 16% | 13% | 15% | 21% | 17% |
| Unisoc | 12% | 13% | 9% | 15% | 13% | 14% | 10% |
| Samsung | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Huawei | 1% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
| Others | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Market Highlights
- MediaTek: Its stronghold in affordable and mid-range devices across Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe continues to drive growth.
- Qualcomm: Benefited from strong Snapdragon demand in premium devices, but still trails MediaTek overall.
- Apple: Maintains a steady third place with 17%, largely thanks to the iPhone and iPad lines using in-house chips like the A16 Bionic.
- Unisoc: Holds 10%, cementing its role in entry-level and budget Android devices.
- Samsung: Continues to rely mostly on Qualcomm chips in its flagship and foldable phones, keeping Exynos share low at 5%.
- Huawei: Gains traction with HiSilicon chips (like the Kirin series) in China, now holding 4% of the global market despite sanctions.
While Qualcomm is recovering, MediaTek remains the clear leader, especially in regions prioritizing cost-efficiency over raw performance. Looking ahead, next-gen chips like Snapdragon X Elite, new Dimensity processors, and increasing vertical integration by players like Apple and Huawei could further shift dynamics in 2025.
Let me know if you want a graphic version of the table or a press-release-style summary.
