An array of new smartphones launched by HTC, Samsung Electronics and Nokia as well as by local brands in China in the second quarter of 2012 will help ramp up revenue growth at Taiwan-based IC design houses in May-June and possibly into the third quarter, according to industry sources.
Shipments of HTC One X smartphones will average one million units a month in the second quarter, while IC orders for Samsung Galaxy S III will be equivalent to more than two million units of the model in May, indicated the sources.
Additionally, May shipments of new Lumia phones from Taiwan-based ODMs will close to one million units, added the sources.
Handset solution vendors also expect demand from China will continue to move up from the second quarter onward, given expected demand for smartphones in China in 2012 has recently been revised to 150-180 million units, from 120 million units as projected previously.
A number of non-iPhone vendors have also accelerated the launch of new models, said sources, adding that Apple is likely to lower its shipment target for iPhone 4S by 30% sequentially in the second quarter.
Article translated by Steve Shen
