Taiwan is intensifying its bid to gain ground in the rapidly expanding satellite communications market. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Ministry of Education, National Communications Commission, and National Space Organization, has launched a "Next-Generation Communications Technology Development Program."
Micron Technology is rumored to be significantly increasing its share of low-power DRAM supply for Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S series smartphones. South Korean industry insiders believe that if Micron becomes the largest DRAM supplier for the Galaxy S series, Samsung's own semiconductor and Device Solutions (DS) division will face reduced DRAM supply volume. This potential shift is raising concerns among market watchers.
Samsung Display (SDC), LG Display (LGD), and China's BOE are expected to maintain their positions in Apple's iPhone panel supply chain through 2025 and 2026, according to industry forecasts. Samsung, in particular, is poised to expand its portfolio as Apple prepares to mass-produce its first foldable iPhone.
Chinese tech giant Huawei, the first company in the world to launch a tri-fold smartphone, has unveiled its latest tri-fold model, the Mate XTs Ultimate Design, just one year after its initial launch. Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei's consumer business group, revealed that the new device is powered by the Kirin 9020 chip. This marks the first time in four years that Huawei has publicly disclosed a new generation of Kirin chips at a product launch event.
Samsung is rolling out its Galaxy S25 FE smartphone and Galaxy Tab S11 tablets a month early, unveiling the devices at the IFA 2025 tech show in Berlin. The move is aimed at filling a gap in its lineup ahead of the launch of its new tri-fold phones later this year.
South Korean telecom giant SK Telecom (SKT) is doubling down on its artificial intelligence (AI) investments in the wake of a major hacking incident. The company has officially begun construction of a large-scale AI data center in Ulsan, South Korea, which will become the country's largest dedicated AI facility outside the capital region.
Taiwan's bid to challenge global telecom incumbents with 5G Open RAN (O-RAN) is faltering, as network outages in automated factories undermine trust and local vendors struggle to monetize investments. Once championed as a bridge for Taiwan's IT sector to break into communications technology and loosen the grip of Nokia, Ericsson, and Siemens, O-RAN's commercial promise is now in doubt. Industry leaders and analysts see the emerging concept of AI-RAN as the sector's potential reset.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) is developing a continuous zoom camera module that maintains image clarity across varying telephoto magnifications, reportedly aiming to meet demands from Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Unlike fixed focal length folded zooms, this technology allows smooth optical zoom but poses challenges in module thickness and lens alignment.
Washington's reciprocal tariffs announced in April have disrupted global trade flows and economic momentum, putting the smartphone industry directly at risk. Forecasts for annual handset demand have been cut, and debate is mounting over whether 2025 will swing from growth back into contraction.
Apple's 2025 fall product launch event is confirmed for September 10 at 1 a.m. Taiwan time. Market rumors suggest significant upgrades across Apple's hardware lineup, raising high expectations for the new features and subsequent sales performance of the iPhone 17.
For Apple CEO Tim Cook, returning to the White House in early August 2025 and announcing a US$600 billion investment plan over the next four years was a strategic move that pleased President Donald Trump. Trump responded by stating that any production or factory commitments made in the US would qualify for tariff exemptions, temporarily easing Apple's larger crisis.
More coverage
