11/30/2009
DigiTimes – Online
Qualcomm has raised its concern about market share in the high-end handset segment due to fiercer competition. The chipmaker is in talks with Apple for interest in future cooperation, according to market sources.
Qualcomm is supplying handset chips to Korea-based Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics (LGE) and Taiwan-based High Tech Computer (HTC). However, none of the most popular smartphones – iPhone, Blackberry and Palm Pre –adopt Qualcomm’s 3G solutions.
On the other hand, Motorola has a tight relationship with Freescale Semiconductor, while Nokia and Sony Ericsson are more likely to give ST-Ericsson priority on their supplier lists, the sources indicated.
In addition, Korea-based handset vendors have been promoting low-cost smartphones, meaning they tend to adopt more low-priced chipset solutions instead of more expensive chips from Qualcomm, bringing impact on Qualcomm’s market share worldwide, added the sources.
