Advanced Micro Devices overtakes Intel? That's the story in flash memory, AMD executives say. Spansion, the flash memory division of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based AMD, on Monday plans to announce a new generation of its MirrorBit flash memory chips for cell phones and networking equipment. These new chips, the company says, will help expand its new and unusual lead in the sector over old rival Intel.
When AMD took over Spansion, which started life as a joint venture between the chipmaker and Fujitsu, AMD vaulted past Intel in terms of market share, according to some estimates. The company has continued to grow by taking customers away from Intel, in part by keeping costs lower, said Bertrand Cambou, CEO of Spansion.
In the NOR segment of the flash market, AMD accounted for 24 percent of production last year, compared with 23 percent for Intel, according to iSuppli. In 2004, the research company estimates that AMD will be at 28 percent and Intel at 17 percent. AMD, by its own estimates, says it has passed Intel in market share for flash memory in cell phones, 42 percent to 25 percent.
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News source: news.com
