Today we take a look at the results of our latest Market Confidence Survey. Thanks to all that contributed, you will receive you free report soon.

Our Q4 2025 Market Confidence Survey reveals a dramatic surge in optimism, with 91% of respondents expecting chip market growth in the next 12 months. This confidence is not evenly distributed, however, as the boom in AI and data centers masks ongoing weakness in the general consumer space, creating a highly polarized market.

Qualitative feedback makes it clear: AI is the primary driver of market growth for the overall semiconductor market. The boom in AI infrastructure, including HPC and data centers, is so strong that it's obscuring persistent weakness in other segments. This trend extends to the Computing sector, which has seen improved sentiment based on expectations of an "AI-driven laptop refresh cycle". In contrast, the smartphone market remains subdued, with any future recovery now seemingly linked to the integration of new AI-driven features.

Consumer Robotics is the "clear standout" in the home sector. Confidence has firmed up, with 66% expecting growth (and a third of those expecting "Large Growth"), likely driven by AI advancements and automation. The Automotive sector also remains a positive story, with optimism founded on the increasing semiconductor content per vehicle in hybrid and battery-powered cars. This comes as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are set to capture 20% of the global passenger car market in 2025, a massive jump from less than 5% in 2020.

Sentiment for general consumer categories is more varied. The Wearables segment has strengthened significantly, becoming one of the most positive categories, with 81% expecting growth as new products like smart rings and smart glasses expand the market. Sentiment for Home Appliances has stabilized to a "Level" expectation , but Home Audio/Video remains the weakest category, with 40% expecting a downturn in the mature market.

Geographically, the outlook is uneven. The United States is strongly boosted by massive investment in AI and data centers , while Europe (particularly the UK and Germany) is viewed negatively with no clear catalysts for recovery. China's outlook is also cautious due to weak consumer demand. The clear "bright spot" is India, which continues to benefit from supply chain "delocalization".

Opportunities are concentrated in sectors with tangible content growth in electrification, or new form factors in wearables and robotics. Segments lacking a compelling new driver, like general consumer electronics and smartphones, remain subdued. This polarization means that strategy must be highly selective, focusing on high-growth niches and the specific regions (like India) that are bucking the cautious trend seen elsewhere.

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Thanks for reading! We hope this summary provides a clear view of the divided landscape, and for a deeper dive into the 180+ device markets we track, from AI-driven computing to smart appliances, head over to the DATAportl platform.