Premium Android Smartphone SoC revenues grew 34% YoY in 2024 driven by strong consumer preferences for premium smartphones, according to Counterpoint Research’s Q4 2024 Global Smartphone SoC Revenue and Forecast Tracker. The revenue growth was also driven by a rise in shipments and higher ASPs.
Overall Growth Trends and Uncertainties
Commenting on the global premium smartphone SoC market, Counterpoint Senior Analyst Parv Sharma said, “The segment accounted for 52% of the total Android smartphone SoC revenues in 2024. Competition has increased with HiSilicon’s re-entry and MediaTek’s emergence. The ASP and revenue growth for SoCs is being driven by on-device AI capabilities, with powerful NPUs and larger die sizes driving demand migration to advanced nodes, which in turn result in an increase in semiconductor content and wafer costs.”
On global trade dynamics, Sharma commented, “While the premium market’s growth remains strong, the ongoing tariff uncertainties present risks for brands with higher exposure to China and looking to diversify. Apple is looking to diversify, but the assembly of Pro/ProMax models outside China will take time. On the Android side, Google and Motorola are more under the scanner, while Samsung is better placed, with its diversified manufacturing base presenting an opportunity for Qualcomm to grow its share in the important US market.”
Qualcomm Maintains its Lead in the Premium Market and MediaTek Gains Momentum
Qualcomm dominates the global premium Android SoC market driven by Samsung and Chinese OEM partners. Meanwhile, MediaTek’s growth is currently focused on the China market mainly through vivo and some exposure to OPPO premium smartphones.
Commenting on Qualcomm and MediaTek’s growth, Counterpoint Research Analyst Shivani Parashar said, “In 2025, Qualcomm will maintain a dominant position in the premium Android SoC market, driven by its exclusive partnership with Samsung for the Galaxy S25 series and design wins across every Android OEM, except Google Pixel. Qualcomm introduced custom Oryon cores in the Snapdragon 8 Elite which are good at latency-critical tasks and distributing AI workloads. Qualcomm leads with its AI stack and partnerships across the ecosystem, offering streamlined experiences for deploying on-device AI using optimized models and software/APIs.”
Parashar added, “Meanwhile, MediaTek has emerged as a strong contender in the premium SoC market. It has strategically partnered with OEMs like vivo, OPPO and Xiaomi for premium offerings and carved out a space for itself in the premium SoC market. With the latest Dimensity 9400, MediaTek has shown an impressive CPU and AI performance with a focus on efficiency and value. For continued growth, MediaTek will have to focus on global flagship brands, developer partnerships and trust.”
Samsung's Premium Revenue Grew Multifold, while HiSilicon Re-entered the China Premium Market
Samsung’s premium revenues jumped 4x in 2024 driven by strong Galaxy S24 sales, but will likely decline in 2025 due to no design wins in the in-house Galaxy S25 series. In 2024, HiSilicon made a strong comeback in China with the Pura 70 and Mate 70 series. It is also expected to remain the third-largest premium Android brand by revenue in 2025.
Commenting on Samsung and HiSilicon’s performance, Counterpoint Research Analyst Akash Jatwala said, “The adoption of Exynos 2400 across the Galaxy S24 series helped Samsung grow its revenue multifold in 2024 while also being supported by its rising share in other mid-tier and high-tier models. However, foundry issues have affected Exynos’ adoption in premium smartphones. The growth in adoption will depend on how fast Samsung foundry can scale the next-generation premium SoC on 2nm with better yield rates.”
Commenting on HiSilicon’s performance, Jatwala said, “HiSilicon has a strong and loyal customer base in China, and HiSilicon’s Pura 70 series and Mate 70 series helped it gain share in 2024. In 2025, HiSilicon will retain its position as the third biggest brand in terms of revenue share, driven by its premium smartphones inching closer to MediaTek, despite a couple of older generation process node-based SoCs. However, growth will remain uncertain in the long-term due to supply chain uncertainties, adoption of leading nodes and limited geographical presence stemming from the lack of Google Mobile Services.”
Background
Counterpoint Research is a tech market research firm providing market data, industry thought leadership and consulting across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients spanning smartphone OEMs to chipmakers, channel players to big brands and Big Tech through our offices which serve the major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers globally. Our analyst team engages with C-suite through to strategy, AR, MI, BI, product and marketing professionals in the delivery of our research and services. Our key areas of coverage: AI, Autos, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks & Infra, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables.
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