Apple Bucks Smartphone Chip Slump As iPhone 17 Pro Demand Powers Gains
Key takeaways
- Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro demand gives it a foothold in a shrinking chipset market, while rivals face tighter margins.
- Apple chipset market share Q2: 19%
- Qualcomm market share Q2: 23%
- MediaTek market share Q2: 31%
What happened
Apple’s chipset shipments grew slightly YoY in Q2 as iPhone 17 Pro demand lifted the company’s share of the global smartphone chipset market to 19%, while Qualcomm and MediaTek saw sharper declines amid weaker shipments and a persistent memory shortage.
Why it matters
Apple’s stronger iPhone 17 sales, especially of Pro models, helped it outpace rivals in a market where overall smartphone shipments fell 21% YoY, underscoring the brand’s pricing power and the resilience of its premium segment.
Short-term and longer-term
Short-term. Apple’s Q2 chipset gains suggest the A19‑series may continue to perform well in upcoming iPhone launches, potentially supporting short‑term upside if the company can maintain Pro‑model demand.
Longer-term. Over the next few quarters, Apple’s ability to sustain higher iPhone 17 Pro sales could reinforce its premium pricing strategy and improve margin profiles, while Qualcomm and MediaTek may need to address supply chain…