Article updated: 1/23/2013 7:49 AM

Samsung surpasses Apple as biggest chip buyer

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Apple Inc. iPhones, left, and Samsung Electronics Co. Galaxy smartphones at an electronics store in Tokyo,

Associated Press

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Samsung Electronics Co. surpassed Apple Inc. as the world's biggest buyer of semiconductors last year because of demand for its smartphones and tablet computers, according to Gartner Inc. Samsung's chip purchases surged 29 percent to $23.9 billion in 2012, the Stamford, Connecticut-based research company said in a statement today, citing its own estimates. Apple's semiconductor spending rose 14 percent to $21.4 billion, it said.

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