Generative AI smartphones are poised for rapid growth in the coming years, with the number of such phones in use to surpass the one billion mark by 2027, according to a new report released by chip company MediaTek and market research company Counterpoint.

The trend coincides with a growing emphasis on generative AI technology among Chinese manufacturers seen as a potent tool for crafting novel content and user experiences.

Chinese smartphone brands such as Vivo, along with its sub-brand iQOO, and Oppo are among the companies slated to integrate MediaTek Dimensity's upgraded AI chips into their upcoming smartphone models. Additionally, firms like Honor and Xiaomi have expressed interest in a pioneering AI initiative aimed at enhancing generative AI capabilities, as revealed at a recent MediaTek conference.

Chen Kuan-Chou, MediaTek's general manager and board member, said generative AI is poised to revolutionize the utility of smartphone applications, asserted by facilitating deep knowledge and immersive experiences in edge computing. MediaTek, a prominent third-party mobile chip designer alongside Qualcomm, plays a crucial role in enabling Chinese brands to embed generative AI capabilities into smartphones.