Intel is a multinational tech company that revolutionized the industry with its innovative chips and microprocessors. Its processors power more PCs than any other alternative on the market. The tech industry is every-changing and fast growing. For the first time in decades, Intel is facing credible threats to its market share. Below we will look at ten companies in direct competition with Intel.
1. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)
- Founded: 1969
- Headquarters: Santa Clara, CA
Need to know
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) is known worldwide for its servers, motherboards, chipsets, embedded processors, and microprocessors. When it comes to these microprocessors, AMD is Intel’s biggest competitor. Like Apple is to Microsoft, AMD is to Intel. In short, both companies have dedicated loyal users who will never turn their backs on their beloved processors.
At one tenth Intel’s size, AMD managed to increase its revenues by 630% in 2020. It has 20.5% of the microprocessor market in its corner and powers 28% of all gaming consoles. Both Intel and AMD offer their products at similar price points, and each product reflects a similar quality. Intel has monopolized large corporations where its chips can be primarily found. When it comes down to fighting for market share, Intel and AMD battle it out amongst individuals who build their own computers.
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2. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)
- Founded: 1987
- Headquarters: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Need to know
TSMC is the world’s largest semiconductor facility. It manufactures chips and advanced semiconductors. It is half the size of Intel but generates more than double Intel’s revenue. Year after year TSMC increases its revenue and market share. In 2020, its revenue jumped by over 25%. 54% of its revenue comes from its chip manufacturing facilities.
In 2021, TSMC spent a whopping $28 billion to increase it capacities for chip manufacturing. In continues to lead the sector, and in 2024, its newest $12-billion manufacturing plant will open in Arizona where it will enter American soil. This new facility will put it in direct competition over Intel and the other chip manufacturing companies on the list expanding its already hefty 54% of the market. Other big names on our list Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm all rely on TSMC for their production.
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3. Samsung
- Founded: 1983
- Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Need to know
Samsung is another large chip manufacturer. It is the world’s largest memory chip and smartphone maker. It employs over 300,000 people. It competes with Intel by controlling 5% of the microprocessor market. Samsung’s focus remains primarily on the smartphone industry while Intel’s is on desktop and laptop computers. Both Intel and Samsung go head-to-head and flip flop for the number one spot as the largest semiconductor manufacturer. In 2018, Samsung overtook Intel as the largest by revenue, but Intel managed to win its spot as number one back in 2019.
Samsung’s largest threat to Intel is its ability to diversify and have the financial capital to do so. In 2023, its brand-new chip manufacturing facility will open in Austin, Texas, and it will invest $116 billion over the next ten years into its chip design business. Samsung will begin to grab Intel’s market share and will have continued access to the financial resources to do so.
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4. Nvidia
- Founded: 1993
- Headquarters: Santa Clara, CA
Need to know
Nvidia is another multinational tech company specializing in graphics processing units and chips for mobile computing and gaming. Its main focus is on video gaming, but its chips can be found in mobile phones, cars, and supercomputers. Nvidia also hopes to further is ventures into the artificial intelligence market.
Intel released a new graphics card during the third quarter of 2021 directly competing with Nvidia’s market. Currently Nvidia holds the eighth position within the market and controls 3.8% of the sector. However, Nvidia is expected to acquire Intel competitor ARM by March 2022. Its competitors use ARM’s blueprints to manufacture chips. If all goes smoothly with the acquisition, Nvidia will sit squarely in the number two spot as Intel’s top competitor replacing AMD.
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5. Qualcomm
- Founded: 1985
- Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Need to know
Qualcomm Is the world’s leading developer of 5g technologies and mobile phone chips. Starting as a satellite communications manufacturer, its products power most consumer electronics in the Android market making it a large threat to Intel as more and more consumers prefer smartphones over PCs. Its integrated circuits and software can also be found in tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles.
Qualcomm dominates the niche market of 5g technologies. 5g-capabale smartphone sales topped 550 million handsets globally in 2021 with 5g chips bringing in $10 billion in sales for Qualcomm. The company competes with Intel in the microprocessor sector and makes up 10% of the market. It currently sits as the fourth largest microprocessor provider.
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6. International Business Machines (IBM)
- Founded: 1911
- Headquarters: Endicott, NY
Need to know
International Business Machines (IBM) is the oldest company on our list. It was founded in 1911 and is the creator of some of the first computer technologies. Thanks to IBM the world has ATMs, hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic stripes. It is one of the largest employers in the world and is one of thirty distinguished companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
IBM is a direct competitor of Intel in the microprocessor segment. It has controlling interests in computer hardware and software, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. In 2015, IBM made the bold decision to put its focus and emphasis on designing semiconductors. The semiconductor industry is expected to top $553 billion by the end of 2022. Other Intel competitors are already in line for their fair share just like IBM.
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7. Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)
- Founded: 1990
- Headquarters: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Need to know
Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) is leading the industry in chip technology. It manufactures processors and semiconductors. It was purchased by Japan’s SoftBank in 2016. As of 2020, Nvidia is looking to purchase ARM, a deal that was supposed to be complete in 2021. Together the two companies will jump to the number one spot on Intel’s list of competitors and will monopolize the chip market. Currently, ARM’s chips are used in a number of Intel competitors including by the brand itself.
The acquisition is not only good for Nvidia, but also increases ARM’s competitiveness in the market. Even without the acquisition, ARM is able to stand on its own and remain a strong Intel competitor. In 2020, its sales increased by 22%. Its chips power 70% of the world’s vehicles, data center, and electronics.
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8. Broadcom
- Founded: 1961
- Headquarters: San Jose, CA
Need to know
Broadcom is an American company that provides semiconductor and infrastructure software. It commercialized specialized computer and networking components such as controllers, switches, storage adaptors, optical sensors, and fiber optic modules. Broadcom competes with its rival Intel in the microprocessor market.
The company currently controls 6.9% of the microprocessor market and sits at the fifth position. Like rivalry Qualcomm, Broadcom is one of the fastest growing companies in the 5g chip market. It managed to increase its revenue by over 5% in 2020. Its partnerships with mobile powerhouses Apple and Samsung have given it a competitive edge in the 5g market. Apple is set to purchase $15 billion worth of Broadcom’s chips from 2021 to 2023.
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9. Asus
- Founded: 1989
- Headquarters: Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan
Need to know
Asus is a mature company that dates back to 1989. It has gone on to become one of the world’s largest providers of 3c solutions. Its products include motherboards, smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers. Its diversity, size, and maturity have enabled it to earn a spot on the world’s top 10 list of computing companies.
Asus’ popularity stems from its high-quality motherboards. In 2017, the brand earned more than 4,500 awards for its products more than any other company in the tech industry. It is a top global brand and uses its product diversity to its advantage. Some of its most popular products not including its famous motherboard are its desktop monitors, GPS devices, and all-in-one PCs.
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10. Microchip Technology
- Founded: 1989
- Headquarters: Chandler, AZ
Need to know
Microchip Technology is an American developer of semiconductors and microcontrollers. Its market lies in the automotive, industrial, and aerospace industries. Microchip’s portfolio has expanded over the years to include thousands of applications globally that it couples with its top-notch technical support.
The company increased its revenue by 2%, in 2021, an impressive feat during the COVID-19 crisis. Microchip services around 120,000 customers in direct competition with Intel’s industrial market share. Its competitive advantage lies in its company culture. The brand is willing to do whatever it takes for its customers. It proves this through its global technical service departments that enhance the products it provides.