The global cellular baseband market posted a solid double-digit shipment and revenue growth on the strength of 5G in the first quarter of 2021, according to Strategy Analytics.

The baseband market grew 27% on year to US$7.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021, said Strategy Analytics. Qualcomm led the baseband market with a 53% revenue share, followed by MediaTek with 25% and Samsung LSI with 10%.

Meanwhile, 5G basebands grew three-fold and drove the baseband shipment and revenue growth in the first quarter of 2021, despite foundry capacity constraints, Strategy Analytics noted.

"Qualcomm increased its 5G baseband unit share to 70% in Q1 2021, driven by Apple iPhone 12 design-wins and Android 5G momentum," said Sravan Kundojjala, associate director of handset component technologies service at Strategy Analytics. "Qualcomm's new 5nm-based Snapdragon 888 5G applications processor off to a strong start and featured in popular flagship devices."

Qualcomm also benefited from HiSilicon's retrenchment due to trade sanctions and gained 5G market share, Kundojjala continued. For the first time in four years, HiSilicon dropped out of the top-five baseband revenue share rankings in the first quarter of 2021, according to Strategy Analytics.

"MediaTek established itself as the strong number two to Qualcomm in the 5G baseband market in Q1 2021 with its Dimensity-branded 5G chips," commented Christopher Taylor, director of Strategy Analytics' RF & wireless components service.

MediaTek's baseband revenue jumped 162% on year in the first quarter of 2021, driven by 5G and 4G share gain, Taylor said.