The most common type of hybrid processors combine a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU). These processors are particularly suited to use in smartphones and tablets, which need to deliver high performance and HD graphics from within a compact form factor.

AMD and Intel have been developing hybrid processors to compete for PC market share since 2010, but a number of mobile processor vendors including NVidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments have also started offering heterogeneous application-specific processors with a microprocessor core and integrated GPU.

Now that smartphone sales exceed PCs, and tablets are gaining popularity, the demand for hybrid processors is growing. IMS Research has identified 20 processor vendors that provide heterogeneous processing solutions on a single chip, and values the market at over $55 billion.

According to Tom Hackenberg, semiconductors research manager at IMS Research and author of the , the need for hybrid processors will only become more urgent as semiconductor providers reach the physical limits of Moore's Law.

"This hybridisation is getting even more competitive with an on the market this month, demonstrating that Intel is serious about entering the mobile device market by combining an x86 microprocessor, graphics licensed from NVidia and configurable security logic as a hybrid processor triple play to capture share," he said.