Strong demand for some end market devices, including smartphones and a complete series of products from Apple will help maintain sales momentum of the IC industry in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to sources at international handset solution vendors.
Orders for HTC-branded smartphones, iPhones and Google phones in the fourth quarter will be stronger than those in the third quarter, said the sources, adding that order visibility for iPods, iPhones, iPads and MacBooks have all extended to the first quarter of 2011.
While smartphones from HTC and Apple have been enjoying brisk sales since the beginning of 2010, Motorola has also regained its product image with a series of Android-based smartphones. Aiming to boost its global market share, Motorola plans to launch 5-6 new Android phones in the fourth quarter, noted the sources.
Additionally, the supply chain for Apple's products, including iPhone, iPad, iPod and MacBook, still remains tight at present, and some international chipset vendors and OEM makers in Taiwan confirmed that Apple's order visibility has extended to the end of the first quarter of 2011.