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Sep 17
Commentary: Smartphone chipmakers rebrand as Qualcomm, Apple, MediaTek, and Xiaomi refresh product names to stay competitive
Qualcomm will unveil its latest Snapdragon flagship mobile platform next week and has officially confirmed the chip will be called Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The move comes as part of a wider trend in the smartphone supply chain, where companies from Apple to MediaTek and Xiaomi have embraced renaming strategies across software, chip platforms, and flagship devices. The wave has fueled speculation that a lack of innovation is prompting the industry to turn to rebranding in search of renewed consumer attention.
Apple is preparing to launch its iPhone 17 series globally — and for the first time, Indonesia will be part of the initial wave of releases.
Baidu, one of China's leading internet companies, has cultivated its in-house Kunlun chip for years and recently secured a significant contract with China Mobile, marking the first step in its commercialization process of supplying external customers.
Apple is moving closer to entering the foldable smartphone market, with early development of a foldable iPhone already underway, industry sources told Nikkei Asia. The company has discussed plans with suppliers to establish a test production line in Taiwan, while mass production is expected to take place in India ahead of a possible 2026 launch.
Telecom giant Ericsson held its Ericsson Day mobile trends forum in Taiwan on September 16, which featured its Asia-Pacific management team, as well as Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel), the global network API standardization platform Aduna, and industry partners MediaTek and Intel. The forum centered on the themes of "Beyond 5G business model innovation" and "AI and mobile technology evolution," exploring future developments in mobile communication technologies and innovations in the Taiwan market.
Compal Electronics and Thunder Tiger have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop an integrated communications module for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) unmanned vehicle applications.
How can the 6G rollout avoid 5G pitfalls?
Sep 16
With 6G expected to enter commercial operation by 2030, industry leaders are shifting their focus from competing on technical specifications to developing sustainable business models and building robust ecosystems. At a recent 6G wireless communication standardization forum held in Taipei, experts emphasized that future success hinges on two critical factors: delivering tangible user experiences and creating AI-driven value chains. They also underscored that the path to 6G must draw heavily from the commercialization lessons of 5G.
Qualcomm has introduced its latest flagship mobile platform, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, built using TSMC's 3nm process and incorporating a customized Oryon core to deliver improved performance. Simultaneously, Chinese consumer electronics giant Xiaomi announced that its next-generation smartphones will bypass the "16" series and launch directly as the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, all powered by Qualcomm's new chip.
AI-powered smart glasses are gaining momentum, yet analysts expect Meta to dominate the market until at least 2027, as Apple and Google's competing devices remain in development. Industry executives say Taiwanese firms must enhance vertical integration and reinforce supply chain strengths to secure business in markets beyond China.
Since Huawei established Shenzhen HiSilicon Semiconductor in 2004, its semiconductor business has supported over two decades of development and innovation within Huawei's product ecosystem. However, from 2000 to 2003, Huawei faced one of its most challenging periods and nearly became a US company. CEO Ren Zhengfei confirmed this long-rumored episode during an interview.
Telcos prioritize profits over speed in 6G race
Sep 15
As 6G technology is anticipated to enter commercial operation by 2030, telecom companies worldwide face significant strategic decisions beyond technical innovation. The emerging standard requires balancing capital recovery with competitive positioning, while avoiding the pitfall of viewing 6G merely as a speed upgrade or technological showcase.
Xiaomi's enthusiasm for India appears to be waning as regulatory pressures, shrinking market share, and leadership reshuffles weigh on the company's strategic priorities, according to executives familiar with the matter cited by the Economic Times.