Media tablets and smartphones have been the two most significant drivers of semiconductor growth for the last few years, according to market analyst firm Semiconductor Intelligence. These devices will continue to be major drivers for the next few years.

　　Semiconductor Intelligence forecast that the semiconductor market for 2013 will rise to US$309 billion, up about 6% or US$17 billion from US$292 billion in 2012.

　　IDC has forecast that 84 million more media tablets will be shipped in 2013 than in 2012, and smartphone shipments will increase 289 million units. A conservative assumption of US$60 in semiconductor content per tablet or smartphone means the increase in semiconductors in 2013 will be about US$5 billion from tablets and US$17 billion from smartphones, based on IDC's prediction, Semiconductor Intelligence said. The combined US$22 billion semiconductor market increase from tablets and smartphones exceeds Semiconductor Intelligence's estimate for the total IC market growth of US$17 billion.

　　"Tablets and smartphones are not the only devices driving semiconductor growth, but they are certainly the most significant," Semiconductor Intelligence noted.

　　Gartner and IDC both expect tablet unit shipments will grow over 50% in 2013, while PC shipments are set to fall by between 8% to 10%. As for smartphones, IDC forecast unit shipments for 2013 will rise 40% compared to the total mobile phone market growth of 7.3%.

　　For 2014, Gartner projected that tablet unit shipments will rise 43% while PC shipments should be flat. IDC forecast a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% for the tablet market, and 14% for the smartphone market during the 2013-2017 period.

　　In addition, Semiconductor Intelligence believes that China continues to be the key driver in terms of geographic markets for semiconductors. China continues to show strong growth in electronics production, with growth of 10% of higher for the last several years, Semiconductor Intelligence indicated, judging from available data from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).