
China's high-end AI chip market could become almost entirely domestic in 2026, with local solutions expected to take nearly 90% of sales and leave Nvidia, AMD and other overseas suppliers with about 10%.
Samsung SDI is ending its battery manufacturing partnership with General Motors (GM) in Indiana, terminating a major EV joint venture — and sending ripples across the supply chain.
South Korea's Hanmi Semiconductor is pulling ahead of rival Hanwha Semitech in thermal compression (TC) bonders for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), as HBM4 equipment orders rebound and Hanmi's growing business with Micron helps reduce its reliance on SK Hynix, according to Chosun Biz.
Samsung Electronics is set to increase its TV LCD panel purchases in 2026, even as global shipments of TV LCDs are forecast to decline. The buying shift will favor BOE Technology Group and reduce Samsung's reliance on TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT), according to ZDNet Korea, citing market research firm Omdia.
TSMC said on August 11 that it will invest in CMOS image sensor development and mass production with Sony Group in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, adding to a wave of foreign chip spending backed by Japanese subsidies. According to Nikkei Asia, Japan's total foreign investment in semiconductor plants has now reached JPY6 trillion (US$380 billion).
Chinese AI agent startup Manus is returning to independent operations, marking a concrete break from Meta months after Chinese regulators forced the US tech group to unwind its acquisition of the company.
China's leading DRAM maker CXMT has reportedly raised its DDR5 production yield above 90%, narrowing the gap with Samsung Electronics and strengthening its position in the global PC memory supply chain.
Japan has drawn up a plan for more than JPY370 trillion (approx. US$2.33 trillion) in combined public and private investment across 17 strategic sectors, including AI and space, through fiscal 2040, which runs from April 2040 to March 2041.