Intel Medfield struggling to compete with ARM

Taiwanese handset supply chain makers told DigiTimes that Intel's Medfield smartphone platform is struggling to compete with ARM-based solutions. Intel's Medfield has been adopted by Orange, Motorola Mobility, Lenovo, ZTE and Lava International, but most makers have only one or a couple of Medfield phones, and shipments of these devices are in relatively small volumes.

Among smartphone vendors adopting Medfield, only Lenovo and ZTE have witnessed good sales performance, but they have launched only a few Medfield models, while others have each launched only one model of smartphone equipped with Medfield processors, the sources indicated. In addition, shipments of Medfield smartphones have been in relatively small volumes, the sources pointed out.

According to its roadmap, Intel will offer Atom Z2000, a processor specifically for use in inexpensive smartphones for sale in emerging markets including India, China and Russia, the sources indicated. Atom Z2000 appeals with its graphics and video/audio functions, support for Android mobile games, support for Intel XMM 6265 3G/HSPA+ data communications technology, and 2G/3G dual-SIM technology, the sources pointed out. Smartphone models equipped with Atom Z2000 are expected to be launched in early 2013, the sources noted.

Moving its smartphone platform to smaller process nodes may help Intel, but ARM isn't standing still either.