Below are the top DIGITIMES Asia stories from July 21 to 27, 2025. The top three topics include MediaTek winning Meta's order for 2nm ASIC; Asus, Microsoft revive Xbox hardware with ROG handheld launch; and YMTC plans to pilot a fully China-made NAND line in 2025.
MediaTek reportedly wins Meta's new 2nm ASIC order, aiming for 1H27 mass production
MediaTek and Broadcom continue to compete for Meta's new application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) projects. However, recent reports suggest that MediaTek is poised to secure a major order for one of Meta's upcoming 2nm process ASICs, codenamed "Arke," which focuses on post-training and inference functions, potentially moving toward mass production in the first half of 2027.
Asus, Microsoft revive Xbox hardware with ROG handheld launch, target 400,000-unit holiday debut
Asus is doubling down on gaming handhelds through a partnership with Microsoft, with plans to launch the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X in November and December 2025. Targeting the peak holiday season, Asus has set an initial shipment goal of 400,000 units. Priced between NT$20,000 and NT$29,000 (approx. US$680–990), the new models will be more expensive than the existing ROG Ally.
Exclusive: YMTC to pilot fully China-made NAND line in 2025, eyes 15% global share by 2026
Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC), China's top NAND flash maker, is advancing its push for equipment self-sufficiency. Supply chain sources say the company's first NAND production line built entirely with domestic tools will begin trial runs in the second half of 2025, a milestone in Beijing's effort to wean the industry off US technology.
Hygon's 4GHz C86 chip marks China's shift from policy-driven to performance-led PCs
China's IT localization strategy has entered a new phase with the launch of Hygon Information Technology's C86 processor, a 4.0GHz x86-compatible chip now powering a broad lineup of domestic desktops and mobile workstations. The rollout marks a shift in China's PC market — from policy-driven deployment to performance-focused competition.
Synopsys strengthens India's role with push for world's first AI-based chip foundry
Synopsys is playing a key role in India's growing semiconductor ambitions, partnering closely with Tata Electronics to support what may become the world's first AI-based semiconductor foundry at Dholera in Gujarat.
China's emerging memory titan duo disrupts DRAM's current big three
China's top memory chipmakers, ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and YMTC, have nearly doubled their output in just over a year. Their rapid expansion is raising alarm in South Korea, where industry leaders worry that China's growing presence could upend the global memory market and threaten the dominance of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Qualcomm's 2nm wildcard: is Samsung back in play or just leverage?
Qualcomm is reportedly weighing a return to Samsung Foundry for its 2nm flagship smartphone SoCs in 2026, raising questions about a potential pivot from TSMC. Yet conflicting reports claim Samsung has already been removed from Qualcomm's approved foundry list, adding to the uncertainty. Both Qualcomm and Samsung have declined to comment on the contradictory reports.
Article edited by Jack Wu
