Samsung Retakes Title of World's Largest Semiconductor Customer from Apple in 2012

MacRumors · Jan 23, 2013, 02:50 PM

Research firm Gartner today shared its estimates of global semiconductor purchases for 2012, finding that Samsung has retaken the title Apple had gained in 2011 when it leapt over both Samsung and HP. Samsung (28.9% growth) and Apple (13.6% growth) registered as the biggest winners in 2012, as the overall market declined by 3% with Sony (1.9%) and Lenovo (0.3%) being the only other top-ten companies showing positive performance.

Quote:

"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. "In addition to a weak macroeconomic situation, a dramatic change in consumer demand contributed to a reduction in semiconductor demand in 2012.

Yamaji pointed to the strong shift to mobile devices as a primary reason for the overall decline in the semiconductor market, with traditional computers that require significantly higher semiconductor content experiencing relatively poor sales in the face of smartphone and tablet popularity.

Top Ten 2012 Semiconductor Customers (Billions of Dollars)

Samsung and Apple together now account for over 15% of the world's semiconductor market, up from roughly 12% in 2011.

Gartner's numbers measure the total silicon content of all products designed by Apple and each of its competitors, a metric known as Design TAM. This is distinct from Purchasing TAM, which would attribute to a given company only the amount actually purchased by the company. As an example of the difference between the two metrics, semiconductors purchased by a third-party manufacturing partner would generally count toward the primary company's Design TAM but not its Purchasing TAM.

Article Link: Samsung Retakes Title of World's Largest Semiconductor Customer from Apple in 2012

slffl · Jan 23, 2013, 02:52 PM

So Samsung spent more money on semiconductors? I don't get what this is supposed to tell us. That they buy more units? That they pay more per unit? Seriously, people will write anything these days for click bait.

Stella · Jan 23, 2013, 02:57 PM

The only point I see to this article post is another worthless apple vs samsung flame war.

lilo777 · Jan 23, 2013, 02:58 PM

Numbers in this table does not tell the whole story. Given the fact that Samsung itself is one of the largest semiconductor manufactures in the World, it means that in total (purchased and it owns chips) Samsung uses way more chips than any other companies. Still some people will probably tell that the numbers of Samsung's "sold" phones/tablets are fake because those are "shipped" units

Squilly · Jan 23, 2013, 02:58 PM

Well... That was pointless. Summary: Samsung now buys more semiconductors for their products.

lilo777 · Jan 23, 2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slffl

So Samsung spent more money on semiconductors? I don't get what this is supposed to tell us. That they buy more units? That they pay more per unit? Seriously, people will write anything these days for click bait.

When Apple was on the top, it was interpreted as the fact that Apple has huge over over suppliers which allows them to get lower component prices. Perhaps now same could be said about Samsung. Also Apple's reduced influence may mean higher component prices (and negative consequences for AAPL)

pixelpro · Jan 23, 2013, 03:01 PM

Breaking news: Samsung sells more washing machines than Apple. Apple stock drops more than 30%!

Does anyone see the fallacy above?

lilo777 · Jan 23, 2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelpro

In other news: Samsung sells more washing machines than Apple!

At least Samsung does not use chips in their cables (hint: Thunderbolt)

ArchAndroid · Jan 23, 2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squilly

Well... That was pointless. Summary: Samsung now buys more semiconductors for their products.

I think reading between the lines, one can surmise that Samsung requires a lot more semiconductors than Apple and the reason why the numbers are so close is because of the presumably because of the large discount Samsung Fabs gives Samsung Electronics.

Brradley · Jan 23, 2013, 03:02 PM

What next, which company buys the most batteries?!

samcraig · Jan 23, 2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slffl

So Samsung spent more money on semiconductors? I don't get what this is supposed to tell us. That they buy more units? That they pay more per unit? Seriously, people will write anything these days for click bait.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella

The only point I see to this article post is another worthless apple vs samsung flame war.

And this is different from several articles that appear here?

Threads not even about Samsung (or any competitor) wind up being stupid pissing contests

JyveAFK · Jan 23, 2013, 03:04 PM

They use chips for their fridges/freezers/ovens/microwaves. This is hardly unexpected.
Until we see an iKettle, it's kinda expected that Samsung will be buying more chips for everything they make.

tjl3 · Jan 23, 2013, 03:05 PM

Reading between the lines, Samsung stands to lose a giant customer as Apple moves to TSMC for semiconductors.

samcraig · Jan 23, 2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JyveAFK

They use chips for their fridges/freezers/ovens/microwaves. This is hardly unexpected.
Until we see an iKettle, it's kinda expected that Samsung will be buying more chips for everything they make.

Yes but conversely - when Apple was the chief purchaser - it was "impressive" because Apple only does x,y,z. So naturally the "stat" is of interest. And I believe (sincerely) if Apple was announced to still be on top - there would be some stupid backslapping going on here as if this stat was uber important or revealed anything more than what it does.

AnorexicPig · Jan 23, 2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilo777

When Apple was on the top, it was interpreted as the fact that Apple has huge over over suppliers which allows them to get lower component prices. Perhaps now same could be said about Samsung. Also Apple's reduced influence may mean higher component prices (and negative consequences for AAPL)

still is on top

Nightarchaon · Jan 23, 2013, 03:20 PM

= no2 outside USA, Samsung is kicking

ass with its CHOICE of smartphones , giving the consumer the choice of screen size and form factors is a GOOD THING ,not a bad thing, should

wake up from the torpor its been in since SJs death and gets back to innovating instead of incrementally updating and reacting to the competition it "might" keep its head afloat, other wise its heading back to the dark days of just churning out pretty, expensive, boxes with nothing on them that anyone wants.

Actually i hope

gets driven out of the smartphone and tablet markets eventually, and gets back to producing and investing in its desktops

as far as semi conductors go, isnt there only like 3 companies that actually MAKE these things anyway, everyone else just rents their machines

abhishake · Jan 23, 2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightarchaon

Actually i hope

gets driven out of the smartphone and tablet markets eventually, and gets back to producing and investing in its desktops

Please be quiet (**** got blanked). And you used wayy too many

icons for a post.

AnorexicPig · Jan 23, 2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightarchaon

= no2 outside USA, Samsung is kicking

ass with its CHOICE of smartphones , giving the consumer the choice of screen size and form factors is a GOOD THING ,not a bad thing, should

wake up from the torpor its been in since SJs death and gets back to innovating instead of incrementally updating and reacting to the competition it "might" keep its head afloat, other wise its heading back to the dark days of just churning out pretty, expensive, boxes with nothing on them that anyone wants.

Actually i hope

gets driven out of the smartphone and tablet markets eventually, and gets back to producing and investing in its desktops

as far as semi conductors go, isnt there only like 3 companies that actually MAKE these things anyway, everyone else just rents their machines

Really ! Last I read-

still had some 65% profits in mobile space and 60% or more market share in tablets !

gnasher729 · Jan 23, 2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilo777

Numbers in this table does not tell the whole story. Given the fact that Samsung itself is one of the largest semiconductor manufactures in the World, it means that in total (purchased and it owns chips) Samsung uses way more chips than any other companies. Still some people will probably tell that the numbers of Samsung's "sold" phones/tablets are fake because those are "shipped" units

You didn't read the article properly. At about the last third it explains that you are exactly wrong.

mrsir2009 · Jan 23, 2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhishake

Please be quiet (**** got blanked). And you used wayy too many :apple: icons for a post.

TBH it's faster to type "Apple" rather than ":apple:"

BvizioN · Jan 23, 2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightarchaon

Actually i hope

gets driven out of the smartphone and tablet markets eventually, and gets back to producing and investing in its desktops

That was a joke, right?

iMikeT · Jan 23, 2013, 03:34 PM

Samsung preparing for their own demise?

WindWaker · Jan 23, 2013, 03:34 PM

A prestigious title indeed.

Digitalclips · Jan 23, 2013, 03:35 PM

When you thing about how few products Apple makes, even being second is pretty amazing.

duneriderltr450 · 03:47 PM

Queue the AAPL is doomed posts in 3...2...1...

Jan 23, 2013, 02:52 PM	#2
slffl macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	So Samsung spent more money on semiconductors? I don't get what this is supposed to tell us. That they buy more units? That they pay more per unit? Seriously, people will write anything these days for click bait. __________________ Why waste your time posting how much you hate Apple products?
	4

Jan 23, 2013, 02:57 PM	#3
Stella macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada	The only point I see to this article post is another worthless apple vs samsung flame war. __________________ Hardware / Software: The right tools for the job - be it Apple or otherwise.
	10

Jan 23, 2013, 03:20 PM	#16
Nightarchaon macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2010	= no2 outside USA, Samsung is kicking ass with its CHOICE of smartphones , giving the consumer the choice of screen size and form factors is a GOOD THING ,not a bad thing, should wake up from the torpor its been in since SJs death and gets back to innovating instead of incrementally updating and reacting to the competition it "might" keep its head afloat, other wise its heading back to the dark days of just churning out pretty, expensive, boxes with nothing on them that anyone wants. Actually i hope gets driven out of the smartphone and tablet markets eventually, and gets back to producing and investing in its desktops as far as semi conductors go, isnt there only like 3 companies that actually MAKE these things anyway, everyone else just rents their machines __________________ MacBook Pro/iPad Mini/TV1/iMac/iPhone5
	2

Jan 23, 2013, 03:34 PM	#23
WindWaker macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA	A prestigious title indeed. __________________ iPhone 5 \| Silver-White \| 64gb \| AT&T iPad 3 \| White \| 64gb \| Verizon \| Retina MacBook Pro \| 2.6ghz \| 16gb RAM \| 256gb \|
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 03:35 PM	#24
Digitalclips macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sarasota, Florida	When you thing about how few products Apple makes, even being second is pretty amazing. __________________ Been using Apple since Apple ][ - Long on AAPL so biased MacBookPro i7, MacBookPro i5, iPhones 3Gs and 4s & iPad 2.
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 02:58 PM	#4
lilo777 In Time-Out Join Date: Nov 2009	Numbers in this table does not tell the whole story. Given the fact that Samsung itself is one of the largest semiconductor manufactures in the World, it means that in total (purchased and it owns chips) Samsung uses way more chips than any other companies. Still some people will probably tell that the numbers of Samsung's "sold" phones/tablets are fake because those are "shipped" units
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 02:58 PM	#5
Squilly In Time-Out Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: PA	Well... That was pointless. Summary: Samsung now buys more semiconductors for their products.
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 03:01 PM	#7
pixelpro macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010	Breaking news: Samsung sells more washing machines than Apple. Apple stock drops more than 30%! Does anyone see the fallacy above?
	7

Jan 23, 2013, 03:02 PM	#10
Brradley macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010	What next, which company buys the most batteries?!
	1

Jan 23, 2013, 03:04 PM	#12
JyveAFK macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2011	They use chips for their fridges/freezers/ovens/microwaves. This is hardly unexpected. Until we see an iKettle, it's kinda expected that Samsung will be buying more chips for everything they make.
	3

Jan 23, 2013, 03:05 PM	#13
tjl3 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2012	Reading between the lines, Samsung stands to lose a giant customer as Apple moves to TSMC for semiconductors.
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 03:34 PM	#22
iMikeT macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California	Samsung preparing for their own demise?
	0

Jan 23, 2013, 03:36 PM	#25
duneriderltr450 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon	Queue the AAPL is doomed posts in 3...2...1... Last edited by duneriderltr450; Jan 23, 2013 at 03:47 PM.
	0

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