Qualcomm continues to accelerate their RFFE business by filling more gaps in their product line and building out more capabilities for 5G. With ultraSAW, ultraBAW, and other innovations in filters, modules, envelope trackers, and switches, Qualcomm will likely grow RFFE to $8B in 2025.
But how much RFFE share can Qualcomm gain independent of bundling with the baseband/AP? With an Apple internal modem, MediaTek gaining share, and more use of internally developed APs, that would seem to put a glass ceiling on Qualcomm's RFFE share, unless it can stand alone vs. its competitors (Broadcom, Skyworks, Qorvo, etc.).
MediaTek doesn't do their own RFFE. Apple not so much either. While getting mediatek design wins would be a bit out of scope, Chinese OEMs might choose to do it anyways. Qualcomm has very little share relative to their baseband, so even if they eat their own that's a lot of business. Broadcom is underinvesting on RFFE and Skyworks, Qorvo, Mutants are losing their former lead.
Hi Dylan, thank you for the valuable insights into the ultraSAW and ultraBAW filters. I've been following Qualcomm closely for some time. In your article, you mentioned there remains several components in RFFE that Qualcomm is still not able to provide or is lacking in leadership. Which are some of these main components, and who are the respective leaders for each of those components - Skyworks, Broadcom, Qorvo, Murata etc? Thank you very much, much appreciated!
But how much RFFE share can Qualcomm gain independent of bundling with the baseband/AP? With an Apple internal modem, MediaTek gaining share, and more use of internally developed APs, that would seem to put a glass ceiling on Qualcomm's RFFE share, unless it can stand alone vs. its competitors (Broadcom, Skyworks, Qorvo, etc.).
MediaTek doesn't do their own RFFE. Apple not so much either. While getting mediatek design wins would be a bit out of scope, Chinese OEMs might choose to do it anyways. Qualcomm has very little share relative to their baseband, so even if they eat their own that's a lot of business. Broadcom is underinvesting on RFFE and Skyworks, Qorvo, Mutants are losing their former lead.
Hi Dylan, thank you for the valuable insights into the ultraSAW and ultraBAW filters. I've been following Qualcomm closely for some time. In your article, you mentioned there remains several components in RFFE that Qualcomm is still not able to provide or is lacking in leadership. Which are some of these main components, and who are the respective leaders for each of those components - Skyworks, Broadcom, Qorvo, Murata etc? Thank you very much, much appreciated!
This level of information is more so relegated to clients of SemiAnalysis