Markets

Smart mobile devices

Power-efficient, high-performance solutions for enhanced user experiences.

Performance, power & speed: Immersive experiences with industry-leading technologies

The world of smart mobile devices is evolving rapidly, driven by the need for enhanced user experiences, better connectivity and new form factors like smart glasses. We are at the forefront of this transformation, providing advanced solutions for enhanced imaging, display, RF, imaging and display.

  • Evolving mobile architectures

    On‑device AI and shrinking form‑factors are pushing mobile designs toward more efficient, integrated architectures

  • Sensory‑driven user experiences

    Devices demand richer audio, haptics and sensing to deliver more immersive interactions

  • Escalating RF performance needs

    5G and emerging RF bands require increasingly sophisticated front‑end solutions for higher speed and reliability

  • Extreme power‑efficiency demands

    Fixed battery sizes drive relentless efficiency gains across processing, RF, imaging and display

  • Compact, high‑performance integration

    Mobile devices need space‑saving silicon that delivers performance without compromising battery life or thermal limits

  • Always‑on health & environmental sensing

    Wearables integrate richer biosensors, MEMS devices and low‑latency wireless to deliver continuous, actionable health data

Smart mobile devices applications

RF front ends

We deliver high‑performance RF front‑end technologies including switches, LNAs and power amplifiers optimized for all major RF applications. Our RF SOI and SiGe platforms enable stronger connectivity and better signal integrity across crowded spectrum environments.

Power & audio

We provide specialty power and audio solutions that enhance device efficiency and elevate user experiences. Our technology supports PMICs, DC‑DC converters, battery chargers, wireless chargers and audio amplifiers enabling high efficiency, faster charging and extended battery life.

Wireless connectivity

We enable high‑efficiency wireless systems with support for UWB, NFC and integrated RF‑digital designs. Our ultra‑low power platforms preserve battery life while maintaining consistent, long‑range connectivity.

Imaging & display

We power next‑generation imaging and display systems through OLED DDICs, TDDI solutions and microdisplay CMOS backplanes. With technology advancements to support ever shrinking pixels for higher resolution cameras, higher frame rates and stringent system power needs, GF enables premium camera and display performance in space‑constrained devices.

Smartphones and tablets

Smartphones & tablets

We deliver the essential RF, power, display, audio and sensing technologies that enable premium mobile experiences with outstanding performance and battery life. Our advanced platforms support everything from 5G connectivity and high‑efficiency power management to sharper imaging and immersive AI‑enabled features.

Hearables and watches

Hearables & watches

Our ultra-low-power RF, audio and power‑management solutions are engineered for small, always‑on devices that demand exceptional efficiency and crystal‑clear sound. We enable more reliable wireless performance, longer battery life and high‑fidelity audio in compact form factors.

Smart glasses

Smart glasses

Our advanced microdisplay, sensing and ultra‑low‑power compute technologies form the foundation for next‑generation smart glasses and immersive wearables. Our platforms enable power‑efficient micro‑displays, integrated sensing and high‑performance connectivity — all critical for AI-driven, always-on visual computing.

Customer stories

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in our decade‑long partnership with Apple, as we work together to manufacture critical wireless connectivity technologies and power management solutions, key parts of next‑generation AI‑enabled devices.”

GlobalFoundries

Tim Breen, CEO

Challenge

Next‑generation mobile devices are driving increased demand for advanced connectivity and power management technologies that can scale with growing performance and AI requirements.

Solution

GF and Apple are deepening their long‑standing collaboration to advance semiconductor manufacturing and accelerate the development of essential technologies for future mobile devices.

“This collaboration expands the technology leadership of both companies, strengthens the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and reinforces our shared commitment to innovation and customer success.”

Cirrus Logic

John Forsyth, President and CEO

Challenge

As mobile devices integrate more advanced audio and mixed‑signal functionality, chipmakers must deliver higher levels of performance and integration without increasing footprint or complexity.

Solution

GF and Cirrus Logic are working together to develop and manufacture next‑generation mixed‑signal and power technologies that enable more compact, efficient mobile system designs.

“Our collaboration with GlobalFoundries, and their leadership in RF‑specific, feature‑rich foundry solutions, helps to ensure that we’re able to meet the high‑performance requirements of our cutting‑edge 5G products.”

Qualcomm Germany

Christian Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager, RFFE

Challenge

The evolution of 5G is increasing the complexity of RF front‑end design, requiring solutions that can deliver higher performance while operating within tight size and power constraints.

Solution

GF and Qualcomm are extending their collaboration to develop advanced RF front‑end technologies that support faster data speeds, broader coverage, and more efficient mobile connectivity.

“With this new generation of technology, Broadcom will enable our customers to deliver the best possible 5G mobile experience to their end users.”

Broadcom

David Archbold, Vice President of Product Marketing, Wireless Semiconductor Division

Challenge

As mobile connectivity standards evolve, device manufacturers must address rising demands for bandwidth, efficiency, and integration without compromising user experience.

Solution

We are collaborating with leading wireless customers like Broadcom to deliver advanced RF‑SOI technologies that improve performance, reduce power consumption, and enable more compact mobile designs.

Latest news & insights

Our trusted partners in smart mobile devices

GF works with a global ecosystem of trusted partners to deliver the power-efficient, high-performance solutions our customers need.

  • Synopsys
  • Cadence
  • Siemens
  • Ansys
  • Keysight
  • Aragio
  • Nordic semi
  • eMemory
  • VeriSilicon
  • Asic North
View all partners
Smart mobile device

Frequently asked questions

We provide essential semiconductor technologies across imaging, display, RF connectivity, sensing, audio and power management—core functions that shape modern smartphones, tablets, wearables and smart glasses. These technologies enable high performance, low power, and feature‑rich user experiences. With a proven manufacturing legacy, we help customers meet growing device demands while improving efficiency and battery life.

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of foundational, differentiated technologies that improve visual quality, audio fidelity, connectivity performance and energy efficiency. Our RF SOI technology, for example, is found in up to 85% of premium smartphones globally because of its high performance and ultra‑low power characteristics. Combined with strong manufacturing reliability, we enable more seamless and dependable mobile experiences for consumers.

Our BCD and advanced power‑management platforms are optimized to deliver high performance with significantly reduced power consumption, enabling longer runtime on a single charge. These technologies support battery chargers, wireless power receivers, power trackers and PMICs across phones, earbuds, watches and other wearables. By integrating high‑voltage and analog functions efficiently, we help device makers achieve both smaller footprints and improved energy efficiency.

We have one of the industry’s strongest RF portfolios, including RF-SOI, 9SW, SiGe, FinFET and FDX FD-SOI technologies that enable superior 5G, Wi‑Fi and wireless performance. These solutions deliver high linearity, low noise and ultra‑efficient switching—critical for front‑end modules in smartphones, earbuds, smartwatches and emerging AR devices. Our technologies support Sub‑8 GHz, mmWave and FR3 frequencies, helping OEMs build solutions that meet today’s and tomorrow’s connectivity demands.

We deliver the ultra‑low‑power compute, RF, sensing and micro‑display backplane technologies required for advanced smart glasses. Platforms like FDX and 28SLPe enable compact, power‑efficient microLED drivers and dense SRAM for high‑resolution, always‑on visual experiences. We also work closely with customers on bonding techniques and has a roadmap—including TSV‑enabled interconnects—to shrink solution sizes and support next‑generation immersive devices.