Core Insights - The AI SoC for smart devices is a rapidly developing technology that serves as the "brain" for various smart devices, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) [1][4] - The global market for smart device AI SoCs is projected to grow from $10.7 billion in 2020 to $31.8 billion in 2024, with an expected increase to $43.8 billion by 2025 [1][4] - Consumer electronics account for 40% of the AI SoC market, with low-power applications representing over 60% of that segment [4] Industry Definition and Characteristics - Smart devices are defined as devices with operating systems, data processing capabilities, and network connectivity, including smart cameras, cars, smartphones, smart speakers, tablets, and wearables [2] - The SoC directly influences the response speed, battery life, multitasking ability, and user interaction experience of smart devices, making it a key driver of their evolution [2] Industry Chain - The upstream of the smart device AI SoC industry includes raw materials such as wafers, photoresists, electronic gases, and target materials, as well as equipment like photolithography and etching machines [4] - The midstream involves the design, manufacturing, and packaging of AI SoCs, while the downstream encompasses application markets including smart homes, commercial and educational sectors, automotive, personal mobile devices, industrial, medical, and energy sectors [4] Cost Structure - The cost structure of smart device AI SoCs is primarily divided into raw material costs (65-80% of total costs) and processing fees (15-25% of total costs) [5] Competitive Landscape - The smart device AI SoC industry is characterized by a competitive landscape where international giants dominate the high-end market, while domestic companies carve out differentiated niches [6] - Major domestic players include companies like Rockchip, Xiamen Xingchen Technology, and Hengxuan Technology, each leveraging their technological expertise and market positioning [6][7] Representative Companies - Rockchip has over 20 years of experience in SoC design and has expanded into the AIoT market, achieving revenues of 3.141 billion yuan and a net profit of 780 million yuan in the first three quarters of 2025 [7][8] - Xiamen Xingchen Technology focuses on visual AI SoCs and reported revenues of 1.402 billion yuan with a gross profit of 464 million yuan in the first half of 2025 [9] - Hengxuan Technology leads in the smart audio SoC sector, achieving revenues of 2.934 billion yuan and a net profit of 502 million yuan in the first half of 2025 [10] Industry Development Trends - The smart device AI SoC industry is transitioning from a phase focused solely on computational power to a transformative era characterized by efficiency, intelligence, and integration across various application fields [11]