In early 2023 upcoming Chinese #MCU vendors appeared to cause notable disruption in the #embedded space. Now as the dust settles, we'll reflect on the viability of their market relevance:
These vendors promised more punch for the same price. But was it just a gimmick?
With perceived drawbacks such as: low reliability/yeild, questionable stock longevity, and fears of backdoor access (on a simple MCU??), I believe they do have their place.. But for high volume industries (with access to mainstream vendor's FAE programs) the cost attribute fades away.
They may fit into circumstances when:
- Cost is the #1 driver: Consumer electronics, toys, disposable IoT sensors, LED lighting
- Volume is low-to-mid: where FAE pricing support isn't available, for startups and mid-sized companies.
And ofcourse the #hobbyist who takes up a challenge just for the fun of it!