Apple Extends Lead Over Samsung As Biggest Buyer of Semiconductor Chips in 2020

[MacRumors]

Apple was easily the largest buyer of semiconductor chips in 2020, according to the latest data collected by Gartner. Apple spent $53.6 billion and took 11.9% of the global market share, representing 24% growth year-on-year, while Samsung was the second biggest buyer, spending $36.4 billion and taking 8.1% of the market, representing 20.4% growth year-on-year.

Together, the two companies consumed over $90 billion of the chips in 2020, a $16.6 billion total increase compared to 2019, making up 20 percent of the worldwide market.

Apple retained its position as the No. 1 global semiconductor customer in 2020, thanks mainly to the continued success of AirPods, special demand for Mac computers and iPads, and increasing NAND flash consumption. "Increasing demand for mobile PCs and tablets due to working from home significantly drove the production of Macs and iPads through 2020," said Masatsune Yamaji, research director at Gartner. "The company also began its transition to Apple silicon for its Mac product line in the second half of 2020."

The top 10 companies in 2020 remained the same as in 2019, but increased their semiconductor spend by 10% in 2020, and accounted for 42% of the total market, up from 40.9% in 2019. Samsung benefited from a big reduction in spending by Huawei, which remained in third position, despite being down 23.5% from 2019.

"The U.S. government increased trade restrictions on Huawei in 2020, limiting its ability to purchase semiconductors, which, in turn, limited its smartphone supply and reduced its market share. However, the Chinese market remains important for semiconductor vendors, as other Chinese smartphone OEMs stepped in to fill the vacuum created by Huawei in the second half of 2020," said Yamaji.

Among the top 10 companies, Xiaomi increased its spending the most (26%) in 2020, having been minimally impacted by the global health crisis thanks to its mainly online-driven sales model. Sanctions on Huawei also enabled Xiaomi to gain more market share in the smartphone market.

Article Link: Apple Extends Lead Over Samsung As Biggest Buyer of Semiconductor Chips in 2020

 

[calstanford]

Well, I mean. It's a big manufacturer of multiple types of devices that all need chips (iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, Watches, ...). So.. yea...

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Apple spent $53.6 billion and took 11.9% or the global market share

So... which is it? 11.9% or the global market share?

 

[KrisLord]

How can this article not mention that Samsung are one of the main producers of semiconductors?

im wondering how accurate the data is given Samsung producing and using them internally.

 

[Freeangel1]

So it should be less this year since they chose to not use Intel Chips and blow off the ability to run Windows. Use their own APPLE silicon. And their own 5G modem chips this year too.

 

[djcerla]

How can this article not mention that Samsung are one of the main producers of semiconductors?

im wondering how accurate the data is given Samsung producing and using them internally.

Quite accurate? Read the headline.

 

[heov]

Lol can't for the "suck it, Samsung!" comments, as if who buys the most chips is now a competition.

but really, shouldn't this just be proportional to the amount of devices each company makes? Which I always thought Samsung made more global devices, no? But perhaps the watch, ipad, apple tv, etc sum is larger than all the $100 phones samsung makes?

 

[Mojohanna32]

Lol can't for the "suck it, Samsung!" comments, as if who buys the most chips is now a competition.

but really, shouldn't this just be proportional to the amount of devices each company makes? Which I always thought Samsung made more global devices, no? But perhaps the watch, ipad, apple tv, etc sum is larger than all the $100 phones samsung makes?

Doe the counts include the chips Samsung uses for other household appliances like dishwashers, fridges, etc.?

 

[ani4ani]

Lol can't for the "suck it, Samsung!" comments, as if who buys the most chips is now a competition.

but really, shouldn't this just be proportional to the amount of devices each company makes? Which I always thought Samsung made more global devices, no? But perhaps the watch, ipad, apple tv, etc sum is larger than all the $100 phones samsung makes?

Well given that Samsung makes their own chips I guess they do have no need to buy as many as Apple...Apple have to buy every one of theirs since they do not manufacture their own. I guess the next headline will be Apple buys more Ram than Samsung...or Samsung trounces Apple in washing machine drum purchases

 

[jz0309]

No surprise really ... also, apparently Samsung buys from TSMC, will post a link once I find it again