Intel's introduction of a new Atom processor platform designed to target the fast-growing market for low-end smartphones in emerging economies.

Intel rolled out the new processor platform at a major event at last week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The platform - formerly known as Lexington - is aimed at developing regions of the world, where consumers are demanding low-cost smartphones that deliver high performance and a full feature set.

The low-end spectrum represents the fastest-expanding segment of the global smartphone market, with shipments more than doubling from 2012 to 2016. Low-end smartphone shipments will rise to 559 million in 2016, up from just 206 million in 2012, IHS predicted.

Shipments of low-end smartphones are forecast to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51% from 2011 to 2016. In contrast, high-end smartphone shipments will grow at a CAGR of only 12% during the same period, IHS noted. Emerging regions where low-end smartphones have the most appeal are the expected to generate the fastest growth among all regions for mobile handsets in the coming years.

Shipments of all kinds of handsets in China are expected to rise at a CAGR of 8% for the same five-year period, making it the world's fastest growing region, IHS indicated. The next fastest-growing area will be the rest of the Asia-Pacific countries, which will rise at a 6% CAGR. Coming in third is the combined Eastern Europe, Africa and Middle East region, with 5% growth. In comparison, the well-established North American region will grow only 4%.

Intel's share of the market for applications processors used in smartphones is minimal at present, IHS pointed out. This market now is dominated by Qualcomm.

By: DocMemory
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