Ask most people who the largest chip maker in the world is and they'll rightly respond "Intel." But 2017 looks likely to be the year Intel moves into second place to make way for Samsung.
That prediction comes from US semiconductor market research firm IC Insights, and it's all thanks to higher pricing of memory chips. Being classed as the world's largest chipmaker comes down to money, after all.
As reported by The Korea Herald, Bill McClean, president of the US research firm IC Insights, explained that "If memory market prices continue to hold or increase through the second quarter and the balance of this year, Samsung could charge into the top spot and displace Intel."
With that in mind, Intel is expected to post sales of $14.4 billion in the second quarter of 2017. Samsung's sales are expected to top $14.6 billion.
Intel first became the world's largest chipmaker back in 1993 and has held the title ever since. But as the mobile market has exploded, so did the need for the chips that make them work. Unlike on PC where Intel dominates, mobile is a different matter entirely, and Samsung is on hand to provide the DRAM and NAND chips they require.
Related
- MSI Bundles Intel Optane Memory With MotherboardsMSI Bundles Intel Optane Memory With Motherboards
As to why memory prices have increased and may continue to do so, we have China to thank for that. More Chinese consumers are buying high-end devices, all of which require memory chips to function. Samsung wins on two fronts: it is selling more chips and the prices for them are higher.
Assuming the title does change hands, whether Samsung retains it beyond the second quarter depends on what happens to memory prices. If they fall, so does Samsung back down to second position.
This month's newly tested apps and hardware span everything from 2-in-1 laptops and cutting-edge smartphones to website builders and virtual private networks (VPNs) for your startup.
Amazon's plans for the domination of fashion could begin with the Echo Look.
Durability tests from Square Trade show that the S8 and S8+ will crack, but they'll also survive an immersion for 30 minutes with no significant damage.
After falling out with Tesla, MobilEye has been working with Intel and BMW on autonomous tech.
Relax Samsung May Replace Intel as World's Largest Chipmaker stories
An intelligent speed limiter recognizes traffic signs meaning it should be almost impossible to get a speeding ticket.
Mental strength is a choice and a discipline, not an innate quality bestowed upon the lucky.
It's a rather unusual warning label to include on a battery that can't be removed and likely will never be seen by the owner, but there is a good reason for it.
Durability tests from Square Trade show that the S8 and S8+ will crack, but they'll also survive an immersion for 30 minutes with no significant damage.
Developers will be able to create their own chatbots using the same language processing that powers Amazon's own Alexa voice assistant.
Samsung is insisting this is not a design fault and can be fixed with some settings tweaks, but some owners disagree.
Samsung's personal voice assistant, called Bixby, will launch with the Galaxy S8 this month, but you won't be able to talk to it until later this spring.
Qualcomm fired back at Apple with allegations that Cupertino 'chose not to utilize the full performance' of its modem chips in the iPhone 7, and more.
A security researcher demonstrated an exploit that uses digital terrestrial TV signals to implant malicious code in the web browsers of smart TVs.
Managing to cool a Core i7 with Iris Pro Graphics without using any fans is impressive.
A 34-foot display supporting HDR and backed by a Harman audio system. Is that enough to entice us back to movie theaters?
Not content with electric cars, launching rockets, and trying to travel to Mars, Elon Musk also wants to add AI to our brains.
Optane has the potential to significantly boost the speed and responsiveness of PCs powered by conventional hard disk drives.
Rather than just having one display on a smartwatch, Samsung wants two, with the second being placed around the rotating rim of the watch.
It might happen in 50 or 100 years, Steve Mnuchin said, but he thinks that in the short term, artificial intelligence is good for America.
While other manufacturers are ditching curved TVs, Samsung is embracing them as sales are set to peak this year.
Up to 84 cameras will capture each game from the Sweet 16 until the championship in virtual reality. But unlike last year, this year you have to pay up.
Up to 84 cameras will capture each game from the Sweet 16 until the championship in virtual reality. But unlike last year, this year you have to pay up.
Artificial intelligence has invaded public bathrooms in Beijing, where toilet paper dispensers now detect people's faces before giving out more tissue.
Artificial intelligence will make the electronic devices of tomorrow smarter, but not if their processors—made by companies like ARM—aren't up to the task.
Hanging a TV above your fireplace mantle is nothing new, but a new model from Samsung mounts flush with the wall and includes a bezel that looks like an actual picture frame.
If your Switch breaks all your save data is lost, and if you fill up the internal memory save data... tough luck, you'll need to delete some.
Verizon will blast gigabit Internet into your window. At MWC, we saw how that will happen.
He does not, however, think companies should be forced to turn them on.
The 8th generation, 2nd 14nm process refinement chips before Intel moves to 10nm.
512Gb 64-layer 3D NAND chips are an industry first, promising larger and cheaper SSDs.
With four HDMI inputs and USB-C support, this monitor will run your MacBook Pro alongside your PS4.
An anonymous hacker posts most of the fifth season of Orange is the New Black on file-sharing site The Pirate Bay after Netflix allegedly failed to pay a ransom.
Netflix's controversial '13 Reasons Why' series is getting more graphic content warnings.
Augmented reality has never looked more, well, real.
While it could seem natural to decline a Facebook friend request from a stranger, the dynamic on LinkedIn is much different.
“Bombshell” is a comprehensive look at the many stages of Hedy Lamarr's storied life.
The company created two new modules to help teachers and K-5 students learn coding.
Engadget has updated its commenting policy. Here's what you need to know.
All four major broadcast networks are ready to go, but there's still a Viacom-shaped hole in the channel lineup.
Apple may introduce a Siri-equipped speaker as soon as June.
