Intel Surpasses Samsung in Semiconductor Sales Revenue in 4Q18
March 12, 2019 | IHS MarkitEstimated reading time: 1 minute

The declining market for semiconductors used in mobile handsets and enterprise servers led to a realignment in the company market-share ranking for semiconductor manufacturers. While Samsung led semiconductor sales for the past five quarters, Intel outpaced Samsung in the fourth quarter. Intel’s semiconductor sales revenue reached $18.4 billion in the fourth quarter, compared to $15.8 billion for Samsung. While quarter-over-quarter Intel semiconductor sales declined by 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018, Samsung fell 24.9%, according to IHS Markit.
“Samsung has traditionally been far more dependent on memory chip sales than Intel, so when mobile handset sales slowed dramatically last year, so did the company’s memory chip sales,” said Ron Ellwanger, senior analyst, semiconductor manufacturing, IHS Markit. “The last time the memory market decreased more was in the fourth quarter of 2008, at the height of the global financial crisis.”
Intel last held a quarterly lead in semiconductor sales in the second quarter of 2017. Samsung overtook Intel in the third quarter of 2017, due to a shortage of memory chips used in the growing cell phone and server markets, which Samsung was able to fill.
Samsung Still Led Overall 2018 Sales
Samsung annual semiconductor revenue rose 20.3%, year over year, reaching $74.6 billion in 2018. Intel’s semiconductor revenue increased by 13.4%, to reach $69.9 billion. Nearly all (87%) of Samsung semiconductor sales in the fourth quarter were memory chips, compared to just 6% for Intel.
The overall semiconductor market declined 10.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018, with all market applications and market device segments shrinking. “The reasons for the declining semiconductor market were manifold,” Ellwanger said. “Memory chip prices continued to fall, due in large part to an oversupply of memory chips caused by excess capacity and high semiconductor chip inventory.”
About IHS Markit
IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 business and government customers, including 80% of the Fortune Global 500 and the world’s leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth.
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Indium Promotes Huang to Senior Manager, Marketing Communications
08/28/2025 | Indium CorporationWith its commitment to innovation and growth through employee development, Indium Corporation announces the promotion of Jingya Huang to Senior Manager, Marketing Communications, to continue to lead the company’s branding and promotional efforts.
India’s PC Market Grows 5.7% YoY in 1H25, Shipping 6.8 Million Units
08/22/2025 | IDCIndia’s traditional PC market (desktops, notebooks, and workstations) grew 3.0% year-over-year (YoY) in 2Q25 with 3.5 million units shipments, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter of growth.
Ta Yang Group Holdings Limited Announcing AI Transformation Blueprint
08/21/2025 | ACN NewswireTa Yang Group Holdings Limited, a well-established Hong Kong-listed company with nearly two decades of market presence, plans to further advance comprehensively into the Web 4.0 field and artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
Standardized Hinges and Apple’s Entry Expected to Push Foldable Phone Penetration Beyond 3% by 2027
08/19/2025 | TrendForceTrendForce’s latest investigations reveal that the anticipated launch of Apple’s first foldable device in the second half of 2026 is expected to lift foldable phone penetration from 1.6% in 2025 to over 3% in 2027.
The Marketing Minute: Staying Positive When the Market Isn’t
08/20/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteIn today’s volatile electronics market, buffeted by tariffs, supply-chain shifts, and squeezed margins, it’s tempting to tighten belts and cut your marketing budget. But history shows us that the quietest brands get forgotten fastest. Staying visible is not a luxury; it’s a competitive advantage.