Samsung to run future EDGE phones on Broadcom chips

Broadcom announced that Samsung would be incorporating its single-chip cellular platform for future EDGE-based phones, which it said will enable the handset maker to provide greater functionality in lower-tier phones.

Broadcom said its advanced EDGE platform will allow phones to have features that were only previously available on 3G handsets to be supported in cheaper 2G phones. Some of the features include touchscreen UIs, motion sensors, multimedia capabilities and extended Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS connectivity.

Broadcom said that according to market research by iSuppli, the EDGE segment of the handset market will grow from 308 million units in 2008 to over 483 million units in 2012, making EDGE the largest volume sector. The move could be a significant one for Samsung as it looks to leverage larger volumes in developing markets in the midst of an economic downturn in more advanced markets.

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