Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from June 30 to July 6, 2025. This week's highlights include Samsung's strategic licensing of Intel patents to avoid global IP battles, Intel's executive shakeup, and Apple edges closer to launching a foldable iPhone. Meanwhile, China's domestic AI chipmakers face steep uphill battles, while Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem formed a new alliance backing TSMC's international expansion.
Foxconn's June 2025 revenue rose 10.09% year-over-year to NT$540.24 billion (approx. US$18.62 billion), driven by strong AI cloud demand, but fell 12.26% from May due to currency headwinds. The company remains cautiously optimistic for the second half, expecting seasonal ICT growth while monitoring geopolitical risks and fluctuating exchange rates.
Tecom Co., Ltd., a network communications subsidiary of the TECO Group, announced on July 2 that chairman Chao-kai Liu has stepped down from his position due to personal reasons. The board of directors has appointed Su-chiu Wu, vice chairperson of TECO Electric & Machinery, as Liu's successor, effective immediately.
Following Google Chrome's decision to stop trusting new TLS (transport layer security) website certificates issued by Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) starting from August 1, 2025, the Taiwanese Internet service provider (ISP) has been said to be facing similar actions from Mozilla Firefox.
On June 2, US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement imposing a 20% tariff on imports from Vietnam and a 40% tariff on transshipped products. The new tariffs have garnered significant attention within the network communication industry, particularly in Taiwan, where many manufacturers have relocated production to Vietnam, targeting the US market.
Taiwanese networking firm D-Link Corporation has landed a significant Wi-Fi 6 enterprise access point (EAP) order in India, securing a contract for 50,000 units slated for shipment beginning in July 2025. The deal highlights D-Link's growing foothold in India's rapidly expanding enterprise networking market and reflects the success of its long-term investment in the region.
As uncertainties persist around tariffs, geopolitical conflicts, and exchange rate fluctuations, mobile phone manufacturers are preparing for the traditional demand peak in the second half of 2025. Industry players are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence integration and expanding new product launches to sustain and grow smartphone sales during this pivotal period.
South Korea's leading display manufacturers have officially begun production of OLED panels for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17, according to industry sources. While Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD) have secured the initial batch of orders, the total volume appears to be lower than that for the iPhone 16, reflecting geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
Taiwan's telecom operator Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) has launched the Hami Cam AI smart camera, targeting the growing demand for companionship and remote care amid social changes such as an aging population and increased pet ownership. The new device aims to strengthen CHT's position in the competitive smart home camera market.
Huawei Technologies Co. must face a criminal trial next year in New York after a federal judge refused a request by the Chinese wireless equipment maker to dismiss more than a dozen charges, including racketeering, trade secret theft, and violating US sanctions on Iran.
Taiwan's increasingly frequent extreme weather events and rising peak electricity demand have made backup power solutions crucial, particularly for high-consumption industries like semiconductors that rely on stable, uninterrupted energy. Seizing the opportunity in this growing market, networking equipment manufacturer ATW Technology is pivoting into the hydrogen energy sector, aiming to build a promising new revenue stream that could eventually outpace its legacy networking business.
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