MediaTek is expected to see its second-quarter revenues increase 12-18% from an already-low base in the first quarter, with gross margin falling below 47%, according to market watchers.

Any growth less than 20% in the second quarter will mean MediaTek's sales momentum has not returned to the strong levels seen in previous quarters, said the watchers.

MediaTek has reported consolidated revenues of NT$47.54 billion (US$1.53 billion) for the first three months of 2015, down about 14% from a year earlier. The result came in line with the company's guidance range of NT$45.5-49.9 billion, but was still a disappointment, the watchers indicated.

Handset demand in China and emerging markets has been weaker-than-expected so far in 2015, affecting negatively MediaTek's sales performance, the watchers said. MediaTek has seen some of its China-based clients step up their pace of orders, but shipments for the orders will not start until after May, the watchers noted.

MediaTek is scheduled to hold its quarterly investors meeting on April 30.