Samsung was the top semiconductor chip buyer in 2016, according to a new report released by Gartner. It accounted for 9.3 percent of all semiconductor sales last year. The company spent $31.6 billion on chips and took the top spot on the list. Apple came close in second place as it spent almost $30 billion and accounted for 8.8 percent of all sales. Both companies spent $61.7 billion combined on semiconductors in 2016, they have shared the first and second position between themselves for six consecutive years. Expectations for future growth have fallen even though Samsung and Apple continue to exert a lot of influence on technology and price trends for the entire semiconductor industry.
Even as it saw increased competition from Chinese OEMs in markets such as TVs, smartphones and TV panels, the company increased its consumption of semiconductor chips in 2016. It increased its semiconductor design total available market with a 9.3 percent market share, up from 8.9 percent in the year before. The top ten list does show that China continues to pose a threat as 2016 was the first time that three Chinese companies ranked in the top ten.
