AP Independence

LG is looking to replace the Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips in most new smartphone models.
LG is looking to replace the Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips in most new smartphone models.

 

LG Electronics is expected to release new smartphones equipped with its own application processor (AP) as early as the third quarter. In particular, the likelihood that it will become the best quad-core AP is drawing a lot of attention. 

According to industry sources on April 15, LG is going to mass-produce its own AP in the second quarter. A LG associate said, “It is true that the mass-production of our own AP is imminent,” adding, “But we haven’t decided when or in which smartphone it will be featured.” 

The mass production of the Korean handset maker’s mobile chipset is likely to create a sensation in an AP market dominated by Qualcomm. The world’s largest mobile chipset maker accounted for 53.6 percent of the market last year. Samsung Electronics, of course, is actively seeking to dominate the market, but as a latecomer it only represents 7.9 percent now. 

To date, LG has used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips in most of its smartphones. However, the second largest Android smartphone manufacturer is planning to decrease its dependence on Qualcomm through the mass production and use of its AP in its smartphones, and to create a new source that can generate profits. The fact that the company could save money in the event that it decreases the weight of Qualcomm’s expensive AP is considered to be a favorable factor. 

In particular, experts are saying that LG will launch its first mobile chipset in the form of a quad-core AP to target the premium mobile market. 

Some in the industry think that LG’s AP is expected to be first used in the G3, which is scheduled to be introduced in the third quarter. Nevertheless, the new chipset is more likely to be adopted later in one of the G series, given that the mass-production of the AP will start in Q2.    

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