The GenAI smartphones are expected to offer information provisioning, image building, live translation, and personal assistant applications.
The share of GenAI smartphones in the market is projected to increase dramatically. In 2023, they will account for 4% of the market, which is expected to double in 2024. By 2027, GenAI smartphones are anticipated to constitute 40% of the market, with over half a billion units shipped. This new category of smartphones is defined by their ability to create original content using Generative AI, going beyond pre-programmed responses and predefined tasks.
Samsung and Qualcomm are positioned as the immediate leaders in this emerging market due to their current product offerings and capabilities. Samsung is expected to secure nearly 50% of the market for the next two years, followed by major Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi, vivo, HONOR, and OPPO.
Qualcomm, on the other hand, is projected to dominate over 80% of the GenAI smartphone market in the next two years, with MediaTek likely to increase its presence with its Dimensity 9300-based devices.
The GenAI smartphones are expected to offer enhanced functionalities like information provisioning, image building, live translation, and personal assistant applications. These devices will likely feature AI models optimised for size, running natively on the smartphones with specific hardware specifications.
The research suggests that while there are challenges like memory constraints, the advent of GenAI smartphones signifies a shift in the relationship between users and their devices. The focus will be on creating more personalised content, smarter digital assistants with unique personalities and conversation styles, and tailored content recommendations.
By 2027, GenAI smartphone shipments are expected to reach an impressive 522 million units with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 83%. The report from Counterpoint highlights that while the market share for GenAI smartphones will be in single digits initially, there is considerable excitement and anticipation surrounding this technology. It is expected that 2026 will be a pivotal year as these devices become more widespread across various price segments.
