Samsung has zoomed past Apple in yet another metric and this time, the South-Korean electronics major leads in the total amount spent on semiconductor chips in 2012.
Surpassing Apple to become the world's biggest semiconductor buyer, Samsung purchased nearly 8 percent, or $23.9 billion, of all chips in 2012, reveals a new Gartner report. Samsung upped its expenditure on semiconductors by 29 percent over the year ($18.6 billion in 2011), reflecting the soaring popularity of its products and the huge volumes its mobile device sales.
Apple stands second in the list of top semiconductor buyers with an overall spending of $21.4, marking a 13.6 percent increase ($18.8 billion in 2011) when compared to the previous year.
"Although Samsung and Apple continue to go from strength to strength, other leading electronic equipment makers fared less well, and six of the top 10 reduced their demand in 2012," said Masatsune Yamaji, principal research analyst at Gartner.
According to Gartner researchers, the tech titans, Samsung and Apple, dominated the semiconductor demand in 2012 accounting for 15 percent of total semiconductor demand (8 percent and 7.2 percent respectively).
"The PC market still represented the largest sector for chip demand, but desktop and mobile PCs did not sell well, as consumers' interest shifted to new mobile computing devices like smartphones and media tablets. This shift caused a substantial decrease in semiconductor demand in 2012, as the semiconductor content of a smartphone or a media tablet is far less than that of a PC," Yamaji said.
HP was ranked third in the list with an overall spending of $16.0 billion (12.7 percent drop from 2011) and Dell came fourth spending $9.9 billion (13.4 percent drop from 2011). The top 10 companies including Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, LG, Cisco and Nokia accounted for 36 percent ($106.4 billion) of total semiconductor purchases in 2012.
most read
more stories from News
Discover the future of smartphone audio with Moondrop's MIAD 01. Explore its dual audio jacks and premium DACs in this in-depth review. Ready to elevate your music experience? Read now!
ernest hamiltonUnveiling Android's AI evolution with Gemini integration, Discover how AI is poised to combat scams and revolutionize security. Stay informed and secure!
ernest hamiltonDiscover how Samsung's innovative Knox Journals are revolutionizing user privacy and data control. Learn how cutting-edge features empower users to take control of their devices and safeguard their personal information.
ernest hamiltonThe latest AI breakthroughs unveiled at Google I/O 2024, from Project Astra's revolutionary AI assistance to Gemini integration in Google Workspace and Android 15 innovations. Dive into the future of technology with seamless AI experiences.
ernest hamiltonGoogle teases a new AI camera feature ahead of I/O 2024, offering real-time contextual recognition and voice interaction on Pixel devices. Discover how this innovative technology enhances your mobile experience.
ernest hamiltonDiscover the latest insights into Apple's highly anticipated iPhone 16 Pro, from its innovative display and camera advancements to powerful performance and software integration. Stay informed as anticipation builds for the official unveiling.
ernest hamiltonDiscover how a groundbreaking breakthrough in phononics is poised to revolutionize wireless technology, making devices smaller and more efficient. Explore the potential of giant phononic nonlinearities and their implications for consumer electronics. Dive into the future of connectivity today!
ernest hamiltonExplore the potential impact of Apple's collaboration with OpenAI on iOS 18. From enhanced messaging to smarter voice assistants, dive into the future of AI-powered experiences. Stay informed—read on
ernest hamilton