One in Three Smartphones Now Packs Generative AI, Driving a 74% Surge in AI Chip Market

Smartphones are rapidly learning to think for themselves. According to Counterpoint Research, the share of mobile processors with generative AI capabilities is set to reach 35% of the total market by the end of 2025. This means one in every three smartphones will have a chip capable of generating text, creating images, or processing audio directly on the device, without an internet connection.

Shipments of these "smart" processors have surged by 74% year-over-year. The technology, once an exotic feature for premium flagships, is now rapidly trickling down into mid-range and budget segments. Apple has emerged as the segment leader, capturing a dominant 46% market share. It is followed by Qualcomm at 35%, with MediaTek taking third place at 12%.

The flagship segment is already saturated, with a staggering 88% of new premium processors—like the Apple A19 Pro, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and MediaTek Dimensity 9500—featuring hardware acceleration for generative AI. The real surprise, however, has been the explosive growth in the $300 to $500 smartphone range (approximately 24,000 to 40,000 rubles). The number of GenAI-equipped devices in this segment has tripled compared to last year, now accounting for 38% of all "smart" smartphone shipments.

Qualcomm dominates this mid-tier space, controlling 57% of the market thanks to the popularity of its Snapdragon 7 and 6 Series processors. MediaTek's Dimensity 8000 platform is also a strong contender.

For the average user, this means complex AI functions are becoming faster, more accessible, and more private. Tasks like running a smart assistant, enhancing photos, or translating speech no longer require a constant cloud connection. This not only improves response times but also boosts data privacy, as information stays on the device. The line between flagship and mass-market capabilities is quickly blurring, making advanced artificial intelligence a standard feature for the majority of smartphones.