The global smartphone applications processor (AP) market grew 16% on year to US$5.6 billion in the third quarter of 2014, according to Strategy Analytics. Qualcomm maintained its market lead with 51% revenue share, followed by Apple with 19% revenue share and MediaTek with 15% revenue share.

Qualcomm continues to grow and its smartphone AP shipments registered an impressive 57% on-year rise in the third quarter despite its huge scale and increased competition, Strategy Analytics indicated. "This can be attributed to Qualcomm's global LTE smartphone momentum and strong traction in mid-range 3G smartphones," said Stuart Robinson, executive drector of the Strategy Analytics handset component technologies service.

Meanwhile, HiSilicon and Intel both registered triple-digit on-year growth in smartphone AP shipments in the third quarter, Strategy Analytics noted. "HiSilicon's APs featured in multiple high volume LTE smartphones from Huawei while Intel drew almost all of its growth from Asus ZenFone-branded smartphones," said Sravan Kundojjala, associate director for the research firm.

According to a separate research released by Strategy Analytics, the global tablet AP market increased 16% on year to US$1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2014. Apple maintained its tablet AP revenue share lead with 30% revenue share, followed by Intel with 19% revenue share and Qualcomm with 14% revenue share.

"Intel's tablet AP shipments more than tripled in third quarter 2014 compared to third quarter 2013, thanks to increased traction in Android-based tablets,"Kundojjala indicated. "Strategy Analytics believes Intel's upcoming low-cost SoFIA 3G / 4G APs and Rockchip and Spreadtrum partnerships will help maintain its tablet AP momentum in 2015."