X-bit labs

ATI to Power Samsung, LG, NTT DoCoMo Mobile Phones?

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 03/10/2004 | 04:47 AM ]

Graphics processor developer ATI Technologies has reportedly landed orders for its multimedia IMAGEON processors from handsets makers NTT DoCoMo, LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics.

Markham, Ontario-based ATI Technologies has been pretty aggressive with its chips for cell phones. One of the firm’s latest IMAGEON multimedia co-processors was selected for Motorola’s high-end handsets, such as V600, now DigiTimes reports about three more design wins for the company’s products.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics plan to introduce handsets built using ATI chips in the near future. The information is confirmed by ATI’s Chief Executive Officer, but no details about the actual products are available at this point. There is also a rumour about ATI’s design win with NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA F900i series handsets. The F900i model features a digital still camera with a 1.28MP CCD image sensor and supports 3D animation, according to the report.

ATI Technologies targets to receive more than 10% of revenue in FY2004 from its consumer electronics products.

Motorola is the world’s second largest maker of mobile phones, according to Gartner Research. In 2003 the company shipped 75.44 million cell phones and commanded 14.1% of the market. Samsung Electronics – the third largest mobile phone vendor – sold 53 million devices, grabbing 9.9% market share. LG Electronics –  ranked as the No.5 cell phone maker in 2003 – supplied 27.5 million mobile phones last year, its market share is about 5.2%. The world’s No.1 cell phone maker is Nokia with 33.6% market share and 179.34 million units shipped last year. 45.35 million mobile phones from Siemens accounted for 8.5% of the whole market. Other companies, such as SonyEricsson, Alkatel and Mitsubishi shipped 152.73 million of cell phones last year, which is about 28.6% of the market.

ATI’s arch-rival NVIDIA is also offering its GoForce multimedia co-processors for cells. It has secured contracts with MiTAC and Mitsubishi.