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AMD Overtakes Intel in Key CPU Markets
13 Feb
Summary
- AMD achieved record market share in mobile and desktop processors.
- Intel prioritized server CPUs due to supply constraints, impacting client shipments.
- AMD's desktop growth focused on mid-range products, not just high-end.
- Apple's Mac sales declined, affecting ARM client shipments overall.
AMD has secured unprecedented market penetration in the consumer CPU space, reaching record share in both mobile and desktop processors. This significant gain occurred in the fourth quarter of 2025, a period typically marked by high sales due to holiday shopping. However, Intel faced processor supply constraints, leading to a conscious decision to limit consumer CPU shipments and instead prioritize higher-margin server components.
Intel's capacity reallocation particularly impacted its mobile client CPU shipments, resulting in substantial declines. Conversely, mobile client CPUs emerged as AMD's strongest segment, driving a record increase in its market share. In the desktop arena, AMD experienced growth across its product lines, with a notable emphasis on mid-range processors, further bolstered by Intel's de-prioritization of desktop offerings.
Despite the gains in client segments, both companies also saw growth in server CPU shipments. Intel's server shipments doubled the seasonal average, while AMD tripled its average in this sector. The broader client CPU market saw modest growth, though projections for early 2026 anticipate a downturn due to memory constraints and process challenges. The influence of ARM processors in the PC space, including Apple Macs and Chromebooks, was estimated at 13.3%, a slight decrease from the previous year.
