In the fourth quarter of the latest report, the foundry industry experienced a significant surge in revenues, climbing by a noteworthy 7.9% to a total of $30.49 billion, according to TrendForce. This growth was primarily powered by escalating demands for smartphone components, particularly mid and low-end smartphone Application Processors (APs) and peripheral Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs).
The introduction of Apple's latest devices during this period played a pivotal role in this upsurge. The vibrant launch season spurred the market, propelling the shipment volumes for the A17 chipset and the related peripheral Integrated Circuits (ICs) such as Organic Light-Emitting Diode Display Driver ICs (OLED DDIs), CMOS Image Sensors (CIS), and additional PMICs.
TSMC's exceptional premium 3nm process notably elevated its revenue contribution, propelling the organization's global market share beyond the 60% milestone. This impressive performance marks a notable achievement for TSMC in the industry.
Comparing this growth to the previous year, when the foundry market experienced a significant decline of 13.6%, with revenues dipping to $111.54 billion, the current upswing is a promising sign for the sector. Looking ahead to 2024, TrendForce is optimistic, forecasting a more favorable outlook. They anticipate that the increasing demand driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications will drive annual revenues up by 12% to a projected $125.24 billion.
This positive prediction hints at a promising trajectory for the foundry industry, underlining the pivotal role of technological advancements and evolving market demands in shaping the future landscape of the sector.