[Edaily Reporter SOYEON KIM ] SamsungElectronics’ Exynos mobile application processor (AP) market share reached 9%. This is the highest level since tracking began in 2024.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 18th, SamsungElectronics’ Exynos held a 9% share of the global smartphone AP market based on shipments in the second quarter of this year, up 2 percentage points from the previous quarter (7%). Compared to the same period last year (6%), the share expanded by 3 percentage points.

A smartphone AP is a semiconductor that acts as the “brain” of the device. Exynos is a semiconductor chip designed by System LSI, a division of SamsungElectronics’ Device Solutions (DS) division, and manufactured by Samsung Foundry.

Counterpoint Research stated, “The increase in SamsungElectronics’ Exynos shipments occurred simultaneously in both the premium and mid-range segments,” adding “In the premium segment, the Exynos 2600, featured in the Galaxy S26 Standard and Plus models, drove the increase in shipments, while in the mid-range segment, the Exynos 1680 in the Galaxy A57 and the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A37 contributed to the growth.”

MediaTek (31%) holds the top market share position. Taiwan-based MediaTek saw its total shipments in the second quarter decline year-over-year. Counterpoint Research analyzed that shipments in the mainstream and entry-level segments decreased due to memory supply shortages, and the premium segment was also affected by a slowdown in sales of devices equipped with the Dimensity 9000 series.

Next in line are Qualcomm (23%) and Apple (19%). Qualcomm’s shipments declined year-over-year due to factors such as the adoption of the Exynos 2600 in the base model of the Galaxy S26 in some regions and memory supply shortages.

Apple saw a slight year-over-year increase in chipset shipments due to strong sales of the iPhone 17 series, particularly the Pro models.

Counterpoint Research stated, “Global smartphone shipments in the second quarter fell 21% year-over-year due to rising memory costs and smartphone manufacturers’ conservative inventory management,” adding, “The decline in shipments by MediaTek and Qualcomm reflects this broader market downturn.”