Counterpoint forecasts 74% growth in GenAI smartphone chipsets in 2025, reaching 35% share. Apple 46%, Qualcomm 35%, MediaTek 12%; on-device AI rises.
© D. Novikov
Counterpoint Research has published a forecast for the market of smartphone chipsets with generative AI support. The firm expects shipments of these processors to climb 74% in 2025 versus last year, taking their share to 35% of all smartphone chipsets. Apple is projected to lead the segment with 46%, followed by Qualcomm at 35% and MediaTek at 12%. That split leaves little room for smaller players.
GenAI is advancing fastest in the premium tier: nearly nine in ten flagship chips this year will include hardware acceleration for AI. The surge is tied to fresh silicon—the Apple A19 Pro, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and Dimensity 9500—so early adopters at the high end will feel the shift first.
At the same time, the tech is moving beyond the top end. In the midrange ($300–499), the number of GenAI-ready smartphones will triple from last year to reach 38% of shipments. Qualcomm keeps the lead here, controlling 57% of the market on the strength of its Snapdragon 7 and 6 lines. That momentum sets the pace for broader, everyday use.
Analysts note that the broad adoption of GenAI chipsets will boost smartphone performance without relying on cloud computing, which in turn should accelerate the arrival of new AI features in mass-market models. The direction of travel is clear: on-device capability is becoming the main stage.