The Evolution of 5G Chipsets: Market Trends

By Rolla Hassan, Ph.D

Introduction

The 5G device market is experiencing a surge in chipset diversity, with numerous options now available for modems and mobile processors. As of May 2024, seven major players dominate the field: Autotalks, HiSilicon (Huawei), MediaTek, Qualcomm, Rockchip, Samsung, and Tsinghua Unigroup (Unisoc, formerly Spreadtrum). Each of these companies has been actively expanding their product offerings. 

According to GSA data, the market now boasts 90 commercially available 5G mobile processors and platforms, alongside 19 discrete 5G modems from these semiconductor giants. Five pre-commercial 5G processors, platforms, or discrete cellular modems are in development. 

Discrete 5G modems

 Discrete 5G modems are separate hardware components that enable 5G cellular connectivity in electronic devices. Here are the critical points about discrete 5G modems: 

Function: They allow devices to connect to 5G networks, providing high-speed wireless internet access.

Standalone nature: Unlike integrated modems, discrete modems are separate chips not built into the main processor.

Compatibility: They can be added to various devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and IoT devices.

Performance: Discrete modems often offer better performance and power efficiency than integrated solutions.

Flexibility: They allow device manufacturers to update network capabilities without changing the main processor.

5G NR mobile processors and platforms

5G NR mobile processors and platforms are integrated systems-on-chip (SoCs) designed specifically for use in 5G-capable mobile devices. 

These platforms typically include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), AI processor, image signal processor, and often an integrated 5G modem.

Function: They serve as the “brain” of 5G mobile devices, handling general computing tasks and 5G connectivity.

Key features: Support for 5G NR standards, including both sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies.

Enhanced processing power for AI and machine learning tasks.

Improved energy efficiency for longer battery life.

Support for advanced camera and video processing capabilities.

This graph shows the progression of Discrete 5G NR modems over time from Q1 2020 to Q1 2024. Here’s an analysis of the key trends and data points:

Overall Growth Trend: 

The number of Discrete 5G NR modems has generally increased over time, starting from 5 in Q1 2020 and reaching 19 by Q1 2024.

Rapid Initial Growth: A sharp increase from Q1 2020 (5 modems) to Q2 2020 (8 modems), represented by a 60% growth rate.

Periods of Stability: From Q4 2021 to Q4 2022, the number of modems remained constant at 17, indicating a period of market stability.

Despite fluctuations, the overall trend shows a significant increase from 5 modems in Q1 2020 to 19 in Q1 2024, representing substantial market expansion over four years. 

This graph illustrates the growth of 5G NR mobile processors and platforms over time, from Q1 2020 to Q1 2024. Here’s an analysis of the key trends and data points:

Overall Growth Trend: The number of 5G NR mobile processors and platforms is clearly on the upward trend, starting at around 10 in Q1 2020 and reaching nearly 90 by Q1 2024.

Rapid Initial Growth: The most dramatic growth occurred between Q2 2020 and Q3 2020, with an increase of about 80%.

Consistent Increase: After the initial surge, there has been a steady quarter-over-quarter increase in processors and platforms.

Over the four years, the market has seen substantial expansion, with an almost 9-fold increase in available processors and platforms. 

This graph compares the spectrum support in commercially available 5G modem chipsets, focusing on mobile processors/platforms and cellular modems.

Mobile processors and platforms consistently offer more support across all spectrum types compared to cellular modems.

Sub-6 GHz is the most widely supported spectrum across both categories.

Millimetre-wave support is also significant, but less than sub-6 GHz.

NR downlink carrier aggregation and VoNR have lower support, especially in cellular modems.

The data suggests that mobile processors/platforms are more versatile regarding spectrum support than standalone cellular modems.

This indicates that mobile processors and platforms are leading in 5G spectrum support capabilities, potentially offering more comprehensive and flexible solutions for 5G devices. The lack of VoNR support in cellular modems is notable and might represent a future area for development.

Overall, the 5G chipset market demonstrates robust growth and technological advancement, positioning itself to support the continued expansion of 5G networks and devices globally. The trend towards more integrated and versatile solutions is likely to shape the future of 5G device development and capabilities. 

Data source: https://gsacom.com/paper/chipsets-june2024-summary-report/