802.11n to lead Wi-Fi chip market in 2018

January 25, 2018

In 2017, worldwide shipments of Wi-Fi ICs increased approximately 28% compared to 2016, according to data from ABI Research.

Total revenue achieved an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% between 2017 and 2014.

“Despite the uncertain macroeconomic situation, total market demand for Wi-Fi ICs is expected to keep growing” says industry analyst Celia Bo.

“The demand for Wi-Fi ICs in mobile devices and consumer electronic devices are the two key engines for Wi-Fi IC’s market growth.”

In recent years almost all laptops, netbooks, MIDs and smartbooks have shipped with Wi-Fi embedded, a trend that will continue for some time to come.

Wi-Fi IC placement in mobile handsets grew by more than 50% in 2017 and Wi-Fi-enabled handsets will account for 40% of the total of handsets shipped in 2014.

Beyond the already established segments, portable media players with Wi-Fi have also seen strong growth which will continue through 2014.

More and more consumer electronic devices, such as digital still cameras, digital camcorders, TVs, DVD players, set-top boxes (STBs) are adopting Wi-Fi.

The total shipments of Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronic devices increased 33% in 2017 compared to 2016; the products with fastest-growing attach rates are digital camcorders, TVs, and set-top boxes.

“The most significant variation in Wi-Fi enabled products is the protocol type of the embedded Wi-Fi,” adds practice director Philip Solis.

“802.11g has had the highest attach rate over the past few years, accounting for 50% of total Wi-Fi IC shipments in 2017.

“But 802.11n revenue surpassed that of 802.11g in 2017 as a result of higher ASPs; and 802.11n shipments will surge ahead of 802.11g starting this year. Between 2017 and 2014, unit shipment CAGR is forecast to reach 41%.”