Smartphone brands face mounting challenges as memory prices are expected to surge over 50% in the first half of 2026, according to channel operators. The rise in memory costs threatens to impact operations and sales, particularly for mid- to low-end smartphones.
Recent supply-chain signals suggest that OpenAI has shifted hardware orders from Luxshare to Foxconn, a move widely interpreted as preparation for highly interactive, portable AI devices. While specifications remain undisclosed, industry sources believe the products will emphasize real-time interaction tightly coupled with cloud-based AI, pointing to a new class of always-connected endpoints rather than conventional consumer electronics.
Networking firm Planet Technology announced consolidated revenue of NT$171.35 million (US$5.44 million) for December 2025, culminating in a full-year revenue of NT$1,884.29 million, marking a historic high for the company. The results highlight strong profitability and gross margins amid currency fluctuations during the first three quarters.
Japanese electronic components manufacturer TDK Electronics announced that it plans to update its industry-leading silicon anode battery technology later in 2026, coinciding with Apple and other electronics makers launching new devices for the end of year shopping season. TDK has made significant progress in increasing battery capacity while maintaining slim device profiles, and its technology is currently mainly adopted by Chinese smartphone makers.
At CES 2026, MediaTek unveiled its next-generation Wi-Fi 8 chipset platform, the Filogic 8000 series, moving ahead of rivals by declaring its position early in the next wireless standards race.
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues into its fourth year, Taiwan is looking to strengthen its partnership with Europe. The government aims to expand cooperation across investment, scientific research, and trade.
The global economic landscape underwent three major transformations in 2025: the Great Rebalancing, the evolution of the AI supercycle, and a US industrial revival driven by national security considerations.
Taiwan's copper wire sector has experienced notable growth since 2021, with output value exceeding NT$200 billion (approx. US$6.36 billion) for the first time, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). The industry benefits from returns on investment, rising copper prices, and expanding 5G infrastructure.
The global artificial intelligence (AI) competition is rapidly moving beyond large language model (LLM) development, as leading technology companies race to embed AI into hardware, devices, and applications across consumer and enterprise markets. Samsung, OpenAI, and Meta are all pursuing strategies that go beyond cloud-based AI, signaling a shift toward vertical integration and ecosystem dominance.
Several Chinese smartphone brands are moving closer to Doubao, ByteDance's LLM platform, accelerating partnerships tied to AI smartphones. The shift reflects mounting pressure from falling mobile phone shipments and a premium market long locked up by Apple and Huawei, where smaller brands struggle to gain traction. AI applications and services have thus emerged as one of the few remaining levers for differentiation.
Largan Precision, a leading supplier of smartphone camera lenses, reported an unaudited consolidated revenue of NT$5.62 billion (US$178.41 million) for December 2025, marking a 6% increase from the previous month and remaining flat compared with December 2024.
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