- MediaTek is set to enable ubiquitous AI computing from edge to cloud.
- Aiming to mirror its success in mobile devices, MediaTek’s automotive platform is now locked and loaded.
- Windows on Arm could be the next battlefield for MediaTek and other mobile players.
AI is changing the way people interact with technology. It allows a more immersive user experience and increased convenience when working with mobile devices. As one of the leading chip vendors for the mobile platform, MediaTek also provides solutions across handset, IoT and automotive segments. This year, MediaTek will work with NVIDIA to extend their partnership into PCs, with the launch of their first AI PC expected in 2025.
MediaTek to enable ubiquitous AI computing from edge to cloud
At Computex 2024, MediaTek announced the extension of its partnership with NVIDIA from automotive to cloud-based GenAI accelerator products. This suggests the potential for hybrid ASIC+GPU designs coming soon.
According to MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai, the total addressable market for customized Arm-based server CPUs will reach $5 billion in size by 2028, with custom AI accelerators leveling up to $40 billion market size. This implies that MediaTek is also set to enable AI computing from edge to cloud.
MediaTek’s automotive platform locked and loaded
Last year, MediaTek announced its partnership with NVIDIA for an automobile platform, Dimensity Auto Cockpit Drive OS. The companies see the platform as an outstanding solution leveraging rich IPs from both sides. MediaTek will embed high-performance computing, communication and connectivity technologies into the smart cockpit combined with NVIDIA’s advantage in AI and GPU to provide a better user experience and lower latency. We can expect the first car carrying the two companies’ leading technologies to be rolled out in 2025.
Source: MediaTek
Windows on Arm next battlefield for MediaTek, other mobile players?
Windows on Arm has been regaining its exposure and gradually seeing higher penetration in the quarters following Microsoft’s release of Windows 11 updates with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform instead of Intel or AMD, which are key vendors for the x86 architecture. PC vendors including Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer, Asus and Samsung have already introduced new AI laptops. We believe that as the exclusive agreement between Qualcomm and Microsoft expires in 2025, MediaTek will leverage its advantage in mobile platforms and the capability to step into the PC market.
Based on our checks, we expect MediaTek will likely launch a Windows-on-Arm solution in the second half of 2025 with a new brand name in addition to its Kompanio platform used for Chromebooks. Besides, MediaTek will extend its partnership with NVIDIA from the automotive to the PC industry, with the former focusing on CPU and connectivity and the latter providing NPU solutions. To catch up with leaders in the PC industry, the new Windows-on-Arm solution will likely be equipped with at least the same TOPS performance on its NPU as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform (i.e. 45 TOPS), which is also in line with Microsoft’s minimum requirements for Copilot+. Meanwhile, an upgraded version of the Kompanio series is likely to be introduced to support the next-generation AI Chromebook, which is also one of MediaTek’s key product lines.
Commenting on MediaTek and NVIDIA’s partnership for Windows on Arm, Senior Analyst William Li elaborated: “The new PC solution from MediaTek and NVIDIA will likely trigger another wave of Arm PC expansion after Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform. If the Snapdragon X platform fares well in the second half of 2024, it would incentivize other players to join the market. Therefore, Windows on Arm could be the next battlefield for MediaTek and other mobile players.”
