MediaTek has launched the Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500 mobile processors, both carrying over key technologies from the company's flagship Dimensity platform. The new chips deliver upgrades in performance, power efficiency, AI processing, imaging, gaming, and connectivity, targeting the premium smartphone market.
The ongoing memory supply shortage is impacting overall smartphone shipments, with no immediate resolution in sight. Market forecasts predict a decline in global smartphone demand in 2026 compared with 2025, with entry-level models expected to be hit the hardest. Industry players also anticipate a rise in the average selling price (ASP) of new smartphones in 2026, which is expected to create more favorable conditions for growth in the secondhand smartphone market.
Rising memory prices have pushed up smartphone bill of materials (BOM) costs, potentially affecting shipments for 2026. As the smartphone panel market enters its seasonal off-peak period, the effects of higher memory prices are beginning to surface. Pull-in momentum from end-device makers has slowed, leading to across-the-board declines in smartphone panel prices across different technology types.
The National Communications Commission (NCC) recently released its Communications Market Report, revealing that Taiwan's over-the-top (OTT) streaming service market has shown signs of decline after years of steady growth. The report highlights a sharp fall in the proportion of Taiwanese consumers paying for OTT subscriptions, dropping from 58.6% in 2024 to 45.4% in 2025, falling below the 50% threshold for the first time.
Taiwan's telecom market continued gradual growth in 2025 despite high penetration rates, with the top three operators—Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Taiwan Mobile (TWM), and Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET)—all delivering better-than-expected financial results.
Global smartphone shipments increased by 2% year-over-year in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of growth, according to Counterpoint Research. The growth was driven by strong adoption of AI smartphones and rising demand for high-end and 5G devices in emerging markets.
Google is reportedly planning to move the New Product Introduction (NPI) process for its high-end Pixel smartphones to Vietnam, a step that could mark a major shift in the tech giant's supply chain strategy, though export controls from Beijing may slow implementation, according to Nikkei Asia.
Taiwanese prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus founder and CEO Pete Lau, alleging the Chinese smartphone maker illegally recruited more than 70 engineers in Taiwan as authorities step up enforcement against unapproved hiring by mainland technology firms.
Motorola delivered strong smartphone sales in North America and Latin America in 2025, and looks to sustain momentum in 2026 by leveraging product innovation, AI integration, and cross-industry alliances. The company also plans to intensify operations across the Americas and Asia-Pacific markets.
Motorola announced three new smartphone models—edge 70, g57, and g86 Power—in Taiwan on January 12, highlighting a breakthrough in silicon-carbon (SiC) battery technology. The edge 70 features a 4,800mAh SiC battery that reduces its weight to 159g and thickness to just 5.99mm, making it the thinnest smartphone on the market equipped with three 50MP cameras.
Market sources say Xiaomi is expanding its in-house XRing chip lineup. Beyond developing the next-generation XRing O2 on TSMC's N3P process, the company also plans to extend these processors into "non-smartphone" products to further raise its level of self-reliance.
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