According to the Market Statsville Group (MSG), the Global Mobile Processor Market size was valued at USD 38,871.4 million in 2024 and is expected to grow from USD 44,702.2 million by 2025 to USD 136,745 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 15% during the forecast period (2025 – 2033).

The market of mobile processors is experiencing its constant growth and it is rather predictable because the more companies need fast and efficient smartphones, pads and other portable devices, the more they have to invest into new processors. Mobile processors also known as System on Chips (SoCs) integrates several elements like CPU, GPU, interconnectivity capabilities, etc – into a single chip thus making devices more efficient to perform several functions. As technologies including 5G, Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning, become integrated more into the mobile devices, high end performance mobile processors are required. Apple and Samsung are some of the leading manufacturers in this industry and number of other manufacturers are investing heavily in development of new and better processing devices in terms of battery backup, speed, and graphic score. Also, the upgradation of edge computing, IoT device traction, along with augmented reality application are few factors that have strong demand. The market of mobile processors also is expected to grow in the future with the constant development of mobile devices and higher customer expectations.

Definition of the Mobile Processor

A mobile processor or a System on Chip (SoC) can be described as an advanced microchip used in portable phones, tablets and wearable’s and other mobile devices. It carries multiple elements like Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), memory, and connectivity capabilities, through which it is possible to have better performance, energy consumption control and management, and Multiple task running capacity in portable gadgets.

Global Mobile Processor Market Dynamics

Drivers: Increasing Smartphone Demand

Growing usage of mobile and portable devices such as smartphones is among the prominent propellers with regards to the global mobile processor market. With people using their mobile phones as a means of communication, entertainment, work tools among other things, there is an increased demand for devices with a higher processing capacity. Customers look for better efficiency, good multitasking, better graphics, and battery efficiency which all depend on mobile processors. This is leading to manufacturers incorporating enhanced processors in all their devices in order to be in line with these expectations. Moreover, extending the market is the increase of smartphones sales in the emerging countries, a relatively low-cost and high-functional devices. With new generations of mobile devices with features as 5G connections, Artificial Intelligence, augmented reality, among others the need for enhanced mobile processors that can support them is on the rise. This rising demand puts pressure on the industry and propels new developments in the mobile processor segment. 

Challenges: Intense Competition

The competition within mobile processor is high especially within market leaders ranging from Qualcomm, Apple and MediaTek among others. These companies are not relenting on forging ahead to acquire bigger portions of available markets by producing processors that are faster, more power effective, and incorporated with better qualities. However, it also triggers the competition about prices because companies need to deliver the products that are affordable, especially, in the sensitive markets. Current chipset manufacturers face a major drawback where they are forced to invest so much cash in researching and developing better chipsets, some of which may take time to generate a return on investment. Moreover, one potential problem appears in terms of product differentiation due to the fact that many gadgets’ functions progress at a high speed, such as 5G, AI, and high graphic capabilities. Other entrants also play their part in the competition making it even more keen in the market space. This high competition renders it un-pAttributedStringable for companies to meet their profitability while at the same time remain at the cutting edge of technology.

Scope of the Global Mobile Processor Market 

The study categorizes the Mobile Processor market based on Type of Processor, Devices, Technology, End-Use Industry, Processor Architecture at the regional and global levels.

By Type of Processor Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• Application Processors (AP)
• Baseband Processors
• Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)
• Integrated Processors

By Devices Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Wearables (e.g., smartwatches)
• Laptops
• Other Portable Devices (e.g., VR headsets)

By Technology Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• 4G
• 5G
• LTE
• Wi-Fi

By Processor Architecture Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• ARM-based Processors
• x86-based Processors
• Custom-designed Processors (e.g., Apple’s A-series)

By End-Use Industry Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• Consumer Electronics
• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Industrial IoT (Internet of Things)

By Region Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• North America 
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Czech Republic
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of South America
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Northern Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Application Processor (AP) segment accounts for the largest market share by Type of Processor

Based on the Type of Processor, the market is divided Application Processors, Baseband Processors, Graphics Processing Units, Integrated Processors. Application Processor (AP) are the dominant segment of the Mobile Processor Market. This is due to the increase in the use of the device in the development of Smartphone, tablets, and other portable gadgets. APs are somewhat akin to the device’s processing hub that hosts major components like the CPU, GPU, and AI co-processors used in computing, graphics and connectivity operations. The boom of high-end smartphones with enhanced AI computing capabilities, AR/VR support, high refresh rate display among the other enhancement needs powerful access points.

Moreover, widely known smartphone companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Qualcomm never cease to design superior models of APs for faster processing pace, power consumption efficacy, and effective multitasking. Due to the technology advancements such as 5G and improving IoT applications’ interconnected devices, APs are being enhanced to deliver a better connection rate and computation. Since consumer electronics include smartphones, which are currently the most commonly used gadgets in modern society, the strong demand in the AP segment will continue to exist as well as stimulate the development of new trends in mobile processor development.

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share by Region

Based on the regions, the global market of Mobile Processor has been segmented across North America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, South America, and Asia-Pacific. The Asia Pacific a dominates the Mobile Processor market. This is attributed to the strong base in the semiconductor industry whereby countries, such as China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are some of the leading producers of chips. The Asia-Pacific is the world’s largest processor market with key players including MediaTek, Qualcomm most of which ‎is produced in Taiwan, and Samsung. Besides, the region has a huge consumer pool with very high smartphone penetration which is common in major countries such as India and China which in turn boosts the demand for mobile processors. Some of the trends affecting the mobile processor market in APAC include; 5G networks, AI integration, and IoT applications, all of which have higher demands for faster and efficient processing. However, more so, the popularity of new and emerging smartphone manufacturers in the region also contributes to the enhanced demand for next-generation processors. Further, APAC has the advantage of low-cost manufacturing and has a strong and well developed supply chain to become the global hub for mobile processor development and production. 

Competitive Landscape: Global Mobile Processor Market 

The mobile processor market is global and is quite competitive with popular players as Qualcomm, apple, MediaTek and Samsung etc which are continuously involved in competition to gain more market share through new and faster technologies available in development. These companies try to enhance the performance of processors, energy consumption level, and the usage of new solutions, for instance, artificial intelligence and 5G technology. The rate of competition is high to force improvement and innovation as well as reduced costs and segmentation within the market.

Major players in the global Mobile Processor market are: 

• HiSilicon Technologies
•  Apple Incorporation
• Samsung Electronics
• Ingenic Semiconductor
• Oppo Electronics
• Intel corporation
• Qualcomm
• MediaTek Incorporation
• Texas Instruments
• Nvidia Corporation
• Spreadtrum Communications
• Other Major Players

Recent Development 

• In October 2024, Qualcomm has recently released the Snapdragon 8 Elite as the latest mobile processor set to be implemented on flagship smartphones from leading brands. It was initially thought that the chip would be called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 but instead, the corporate body has chosen ‘Elite’. This new chipset features Qualcomm Oryon CPU architecture, which was earlier used in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite modem /platform for laptops.