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Wednesday 20 August 2025

Foxconn and Nobel Medical join forces to revolutionize AI-driven eye care and AR glasses

The convergence of artificial intelligence and medical technology is reshaping global healthcare, with digital health applications increasingly transforming patient care. In a significant move to accelerate these innovations, Foxconn and Nobel Medical Group formally signed a memorandum of understanding on August 19, 2025, pledging deep collaboration in key areas, including AI-powered retinal imaging analysis, clinical research on near-eye display technology for visual comfort, and the cross-sector digital health alliance known as Harmony in Medical and Technology HiMEDt.

Tuesday 19 August 2025

Smartphone display market sees diverging price trends across panel types

The third quarter, traditionally a peak season for the smartphone supply chain, has brought a mixed picture for display panel pricing. While overall production remains at high utilization levels, market dynamics and pricing trends vary significantly across panel technologies.

Tuesday 19 August 2025

Trump tariffs could stall Samsung’s US surge and boost Apple

Samsung Electronics is enjoying its strongest run in the US smartphone market in years, but that momentum could be tested as US President Donald Trump threatens sweeping tariffs on semiconductors and devices that use them.

Friday 15 August 2025

Apple is seen gaining tariff exemption as Samsung faces 25% levy threat, potentially reshaping global smartphone market

The US government is expected to announce its tariff policy this week on semiconductor-related products—including smartphones, laptops, and surveillance devices—sending ripples of uncertainty through the global tech industry. A proposed 25% tariff on smartphones is now formally under consideration, placing the strategies of Samsung Electronics and Apple under intense scrutiny.

Friday 15 August 2025

Samsung turns to MediaTek for Galaxy Tab S11, reducing Qualcomm dependence

Samsung Electronics' upcoming Galaxy Tab S11 series is reportedly set to feature a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 application processor (AP), a notable shift from its previous reliance on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform. Analysts say the move is part of Samsung's broader strategy to reduce component costs and improve bargaining power when sourcing APs.

Friday 15 August 2025

Taiwan gains competitive edge as China faces steep US tariffs

On July 31, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to adjust reciprocal tariff rates, setting the provisional tariff for Taiwan at 20%, effective from August 7, 2025. According to senior government officials in Taiwan, relief measures have been initiated, and affected businesses are urged to apply within the stipulated timeframe. For traditional industries, China faces tariffs exceeding 50% on related goods, which provides Taiwan with a competitive opportunity to gain market recognition.

Thursday 14 August 2025

Commentary: Huawei's Mate 80 showcases near-100% China supply chain in high-end smartphone drive

Over the past five years, Huawei's drive to localize smartphone components has shifted from a crisis response into a calculated, strategic effort to build a self-reliant supply chain. With the Kirin 9030 set to debut in the Mate 80, the series is widely seen as a near-fully domestic flagship, a culmination of Huawei's transformation from relying on stopgaps to reshaping its position in the industry.

Thursday 14 August 2025

Commentary: Trump's trillion-dollar shakedown and how tariff threats turned into investment windfalls

Following South Korea's shocking announcement to invest US$350 billion in the US, with 90% of the profits staying in the US, Nvidia and AMD reportedly have agreed to pay 15% of their chip sales revenue from China to the US government. This equally astonishing arrangement secures export licenses from the US government for Nvidia's H20 and AMD's MI308 chips shipping to China.

Wednesday 13 August 2025

Samsung Display debuts MONT FLEX brand, showcases enhanced durability and reduced creases in foldable panels

Samsung Display (SDC) recently launched its foldable panel brand, MONT FLEX, at the K-Display 2025, marking an ongoing effort in foldable display innovation. Despite progress, Samsung Display acknowledged that the technology is not yet a finished product.

Tuesday 12 August 2025

Samsung targets mid-range market with Galaxy AI-equipped A17

Samsung Electronics announced on August 11 the new 5G-capable A17 smartphone, aiming to drive momentum in the mid-range segment with Galaxy AI enhancements at a highly competitive price.

Tuesday 12 August 2025

ZillTek looks beyond PCs as automotive and medical sectors gain traction

ZillTek Technology, a digital microphone chipmaker and affiliate of MediaTek, reported lower second quarter 2025 revenue and profit margins on Wednesday, citing the strengthening New Taiwan dollar as a major headwind. However, the company struck a cautiously optimistic tone for the second half of the year, pointing to growth potential in automotive and hearing aid applications.

Tuesday 12 August 2025

Apple bets on automation to maintain supply chain consistency across borders

Apple has obtained a broad exemption from US import tariffs on its products, a move that has triggered industry-wide speculation about whether this could slow the company's efforts to diversify production outside of China. However, Apple's supply chain partners insist the transition is still ongoing — especially for its Mac line — with two clear strategic priorities: relocating operations to Southeast Asia and significantly increasing automation.

Monday 11 August 2025

Samsung reportedly planning to produce iPhone image sensors in Texas, but keep packaging in Korea

Samsung Electronics will build a CMOS image sensor (CIS) production line at its Austin, Texas, semiconductor facility for Apple's next-generation iPhones, but the chips' back-end processing may still be handled in South Korea, according to industry sources.

Monday 11 August 2025

GSEO reports 43% revenue surge in July on seasonal demand

Taiwanese optical lens maker Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) reported a robust rebound in July 2025, driven by seasonal demand from key clients.

Sunday 10 August 2025

Ezconn's 2Q margin hits record high as data center demand overpowers forex drag

Optical communications provider Ezconn reported a record gross margin of 61.67% in the second quarter of 2025, rising 12.25pp from the prior quarter and 8.51pp year-over-year. However, an NT$500 million (US$16.7 million) forex loss tied to the surging New Taiwan dollar dragged net profit down 39.14% sequentially to NT$196 million.

Friday 8 August 2025

Apple and Samsung to jointly develop new sensor chips in Austin, according to reports

The "frenemy" relationship between Samsung Electronics and Apple, spanning over 20 years, has once again become a focal point. Reports indicate that the two tech giants are deepening cooperation in the US.

Thursday 7 August 2025

Apple taps Samsung's Austin fab for next-gen chip tech, possibly for CIS

Apple announced a collaboration with Samsung's Austin-based wafer foundry to develop a new chip technology, though Samsung declined to comment.

Wednesday 6 August 2025

RichWave turns to non-China markets amid sluggish Wi-Fi 7 growth

Radio frequency front-end chipmaker RichWave held its earnings call on August 1, 2025, and shared its outlook for the coming months. In the second quarter, RichWave posted a loss mainly due to the appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar and the slower-than-expected penetration of Wi-Fi 7. For the second half of the year, the sluggish performance in the Chinese market is the main reason Wi-Fi 7 adoption has fallen short of expectations.

Wednesday 6 August 2025

Transcom's entry into Taiwan's advanced military projects boosted by certification

Gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium nitride (GaN), and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) power amplifier (PA) specialist Transcom announced on July 31, 2025, that it has made a breakthrough in the critical field of defense communications. The company is also actively expanding into the commercial microwave market, demonstrating strong momentum through a dual-track development strategy.

Wednesday 6 August 2025

Largan sees 31% revenue jump in July on new smartphone rollouts, eyes 3Q expansion

Largan Precision posted July 2025 revenue of NT$5.413 billion (approx. US$181 million), up 31% from June but unchanged from a year earlier. Revenue for the first seven months of 2025 totaled NT$31.665 billion, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Monday 4 August 2025

iPhone 16 demand powers lens makers, but 4Q25 is the real test

Apple reported strong iPhone sales in its fiscal third-quarter 2025 earnings, pushing overall revenue higher and triggering a ramp-up in shipments across the optical lens supply chain ahead of the new model cycle.

Monday 4 August 2025

China eases InP restrictions; LMOC projects stable 3Q25, strong 800G demand through 2026

LandMark Optoelectronics Corporation (LMOC) expects third quarter 2025 revenue to remain flat or edge higher as China eases export restrictions on indium phosphide (InP) substrates. While suppliers have resumed shipments, production lags persist due to revalidation requirements. Silicon photonics products for data centers now lead LMOC's portfolio, with demand already extending into 2026.

Monday 4 August 2025

Major mobile AP providers ride early demand surge ahead of tariffs, eye high-end market for growth

Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek exceeded expectations in recent financial results, driven by final Chinese government subsidies and anticipation of tariff hikes later in the year. This scenario led to early smartphone upgrades, bolstering revenues for these major industry players.

Friday 1 August 2025

Murata's MLCC shipments remain strong in Taiwan despite price wars with Chinese manufacturers

Murata released its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, reporting consolidated operating profit of JPY61.6 billion (US$414.5 million), down 7.2% year-over-year; net profit was JPY49.7 billion, a decrease of 25% year-over-year. Although these figures exceeded market expectations, net profit declined for the first time in nearly two years due to yen appreciation and intense competition from Chinese manufacturers in the smartphone electronic components market.

Wednesday 30 July 2025

Samsung's in-house chips get another shot with Galaxy S26 if 2nm yields deliver

Rising Qualcomm chip prices and improving Exynos yield rates have prompted Samsung to consider using its in-house Exynos 2600 in the 2026 Galaxy S26 base model. South Korean industry sources say the move depends on whether yield stability can be achieved.

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