Intel Loses Top Spot after 22 Years in Semiconductor Market, Samsung Takes over

For years the Moore’s brainchild Chip Company, Intel has notched the top position the semiconductor industry. But latest study from Gartner reports reveals that Intel has lost its top spot after 22 years.

Gartner in its market report found that global semiconductor revenue for 2017 ended up being $419.7 billion, which represents an increase of 22.2 per cent, compared to the year before. Revenue in the memory market grew for almost two thirds (64 per cent) due to a shortfall in supplies. Memory accounted for almost a third (31 per cent) of all semiconductor revenue in 2017.

According to Gartner, under supply in the market was the main driver for Intel’s fall from grace, with South Korean giant Samsung the main beneficiary.

“The largest memory supplier, Samsung Electronics, gained the most market share and took the No. 1 position from Intel — the first time Intel has been toppled since 1992,” Andrew Norwood, research vice president at Gartner said. “Memory accounted for more than two-thirds of all semiconductor revenue growth in 2017, and became the largest semiconductor category.”

Supply shortage pushed prices up, resulting in a booming memory revenue. NAND flash prices rose year over year, for the first time ever (17 per cent), while DRAM went up 44 per cent.

Gartner says equipment companies couldn’t amortise the increase in price, so all electronics became more expensive in 2017.

The current rankings may not last long, however, “Samsung’s lead is literally built on sand, in the form of memory silicon,” Norwood added. “Memory pricing will weaken in 2018, initially for NAND flash and then DRAM in 2019 as China increases its memory production capacity. We then expect Samsung to lose a lot of the revenue gains it has made.”