Competition for 10 NM Class Mobile AP Expected to Heat Up

Competition for 10-nanometer-class application processors (APs) is intensifying. Like Samsung Electronics, Intel is also mounting a serious challenge to the world's number one AP maker Qualcomm, with the official introduction of its own AP in the middle of this year. 

According to industry sources on Feb. 12, Intel is expected to roll out its system-on-chip Cherry Trail mid-2015, following CPU Broadwell, where its 14 nm class process technology was used. The chipmaker has already started to supply the chipset to mobile manufacturers. In addition, Cherry Trail is going to be officially launched in the middle of this year, in tandem with the release of finished products. 

Previously, market research firm IC Insights predicted that Apple would ask Intel to produce A9, which is used in the iPhone 7, using the 14-nanometer-class process technology. It said that Apple's move is aimed at preventing Samsung Electronics and GlobalFoundries from dominating consignment productions for the AP. Intel is also said to have started its preparation for the production of its CPU and AP three years ago, as shown by its orders in 2012 and 2013 for equipment to produce 14 nm APs.  

Owing to a delay in the release of Intel's 14 nm AP, Samsung is still the only contender at the moment. However, as the introduction of Intel's chipset is approaching, Apple may have a choice other than Samsung.

Samsung started the production process of 14 nm FinFETs late last year, and it is now producing its own AP,the Exynos chips, which will be used in the Galaxy S6. The Korean tech giant has reportedly obtained an order to supply the AP for the iPhone 6S as well.

Qualcomm, on the other hand, has supplied the Snapdragon 810 using the 20nm class process technology to Apple, LG, and Samsung, but it is witnessing the AP caught up in an overheating controversy. 

Qualcomm comprised 52.9 percent of the worldwide AP market in 2014, followed by Apple with a 16.0 percent share and MediaTek with a 15.1 percent share. Samsung's share was only 4.2 percent.