More mobile devices are expected to feature wireless charging which will stimulate demand for related analog ICs and protective components, according to industry sources.
Wireless charging will be mostly built into high-end smartphones in 2016. The technology is expected to also be a standard feature on mid-range and entry-level smartphones, and other mobile devices in 2017, the sources indicated. The overall market for wireless charging-related chips is set to expand significantly during the years, the sources indicated.
In addition, MediaTek's acquisition of Richtek Technology has prompted several other Taiwan-based analog IC specialists including Global-mode Technology (GMT), Leadtrend Technology and On-Bright Electronics to shift their support to Qualcomm's Quick Charge technology, the sources observed.
Qualcomm and MediaTek have both introduced third-generation wireless charging technologies, Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 and MediaTek's Pump Express 3.0. The availability of a wireless charging-enabled iPhone will further drive the adoption of wireless charging by consumers, the sources believe.
According to a 2016 consumer survey conducted by IHS Markit, one in four consumers has used wireless charging on a mobile phone and more than eight in 10 has heard of the technology. "Awareness is the first step in creating demand, and more products from mainstream manufacturers will need to be made widely available to keep the momentum going," said Vicky Yussuff, wireless power analyst for IHS Markit. "In fact, Apple is expected to release a wireless-charging-enabled iPhone in the next 18 months. This would mean both of the top two key players in the smartphone market would be on board, no doubt pushing consumer awareness closer to the 100% mark."
