According to newly published data from market research firm Counterpoint, MediaTek emerged as the top supplier of smartphone system-on-chip (SoC) units globally during the first quarter of 2025, surpassing its U.S. rival Qualcomm.
MediaTek captured 36% of global smartphone SoC shipments during the quarter, buoyed by strong demand for its mainstream and entry-tier chipsets. The report highlights the Dimensity 8400 chipset as a key growth driver in MediaTek’s shipments across the mid-to-premium segment, even amid softening demand in the flagship tier.
Trailing by a significant margin, Qualcomm secured 28% market share. While its shipment volumes remained largely flat compared to the previous quarter, steady demand for its high-performance chips, particularly the Snapdragon 8 Elite, helped maintain its position. That chipset remains the go-to platform for several premium handsets this year and serves as the exclusive SoC for Samsung’s Galaxy S25 line. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also continued to perform well, Counterpoint noted.
Apple claimed third place with a 17% share, driven by solid year-over-year growth thanks to its A18-powered iPhone 16e. However, the company’s quarterly growth was reportedly tempered by seasonal headwinds.
UNISOC and Samsung rounded out the top five with 10% and 5% shares, respectively. UNISOC saw consecutive declines in shipment volumes, largely due to weakening demand for LTE chipsets. Still, the company retained strength in sub-$99 devices, leveraging its budget-friendly LTE offerings.
Samsung’s in-house Exynos division recorded modest gains in the quarter, powered by the Galaxy A56 and A16 5G models featuring Exynos 1580 and Exynos 1330 chips, respectively. Shipments of the Exynos 1380 also grew, spurred by demand for the Galaxy A26 series.
Huawei’s HiSilicon claimed sixth place with 4% market share. Despite a quarter-on-quarter dip in shipments, the brand continued to benefit from strong domestic loyalty. The Nova 13 series, featuring the Kirin 8010, and the flagship Mate 70, powered by the Kirin 9020, helped sustain HiSilicon’s performance.
