Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2026-01-30 13:46Core Insights - Counterpoint Research predicts that MediaTek will lead the global smartphone SoC market in 2025 with a shipment share of 34.4%, followed by Qualcomm (25.1%), Apple (18.1%), Unisoc (12.1%), and Samsung (5.7%) [1] - The global smartphone SoC market is expected to slow down in 2026, with a projected year-on-year decline in shipments of 7% [1] - Despite the overall decline in shipments, the market is shifting towards higher-end products, with one in three smartphones expected to sell for over $500 by 2026 [4] Market Dynamics - The rise in storage prices poses a significant challenge for the smartphone industry, particularly affecting entry-level products priced below $150 [4] - Companies with in-house SoC capabilities, such as Samsung, Google, Huawei, and Xiaomi, are better positioned to navigate market challenges compared to those reliant on 4G and entry-level 5G SoCs [4] - OEMs are adjusting their product offerings and exploring cloud offloading strategies amid ongoing supply constraints [5] Technological Advancements - Leading high-end smartphone SoC manufacturers are expected to transition from 3nm to 2nm process nodes by 2026, with Samsung already set to launch the first 2nm smartphone SoC, Exynos 2600, in December 2025 [5] - The smartphone SoC market is anticipated to achieve double-digit revenue growth in 2026, driven by ongoing premiumization, rising storage prices, and the rapid adoption of AI features in smartphones [5] AI Integration - By 2026, edge AI performance is expected to reach around 100 TOPS, with nearly 90% of high-end smartphones supporting edge AI capabilities [6] - Mid-range smartphones priced between $100 and $500 may increasingly rely on cloud-based AI processing to manage costs amid ongoing pressure from storage prices [6]