Intel is grappling with an operational crisis as its IDM 2.0 transformation plan has yet to yield results, casting doubt on when its foundry business might finally become profitable. This raises the question of whether Intel should consider abandoning its IDM model and separating its product design and manufacturing divisions—a move with both potential advantages and drawbacks. Industry leaders, including former board members, are offering advice in hopes of helping Intel find a viable path forward. However, the conflicting nature of their advice highlights the complexity of the company's dilemma
A pair of major technology expositions in China has concluded, offering a look into the country's tech supply chain, which is navigating US trade tensions with a firm commitment to self-reliance. The China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE) and the SEMI-e Shenzhen International Semiconductor Exhibition underscored both the ambition and inherent challenges facing the industry
Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has stepped back into the spotlight, reclaiming a central role in the company's strategy after years of relative absence since his 2019 exit as chairman. Multiple reports suggest Ma is once again actively steering key decisions, with a sharpened focus on artificial intelligence and Alibaba Cloud — areas critical to the company's long-term competitiveness
On July 30, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would reduce the "reciprocal tariff" rate imposed on South Korea from 25% to 15%. In return, South Korea pledged to invest US$350 billion in the US, with 90% of the investment profits returning to America. However, by mid-September, hundreds of South Korean workers were handcuffed and detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to visa violations. Could this incident severely damage Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) agenda
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
On September 10, 2025, HiSilicon, a subsidiary of Huawei, completed significant personnel changes in its business registration—Eric Xu stepped down as chairman and legal representative, succeeded by Jeffrey Gao; the board's senior management was also adjusted
In a significant strategic pivot, Google is preparing to move its custom-built Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) beyond its own cloud infrastructure—marking a bold step toward monetizing its advanced AI chips through a "hardware-as-a-service" model, rather than traditional chip sales
Talent has long been the defining currency in the global semiconductor race. For decades, Chinese-born engineers with deep overseas experience drove China's rapid catch-up, fueling its chip ambitions through a steady flow of returning expertise
AUO recently announced a collaboration with leading satellite navigation and smart wearable brand Garmin to launch the world's first smartwatch featuring microLED display technology, the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro microLED. The new watch is equipped with a 1.4-inch, 326 PPI high-resolution screen that offers high brightness, ultra-high dynamic contrast, and saturated colors, ensuring clear visibility even under strong light or extreme conditions—making it especially suitable for outdoor sports and adventure needs
The semiconductor landscape has fundamentally shifted. As we move from 2025 to 2026, three forces dominate global technology discourse: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and the Trump administration's trade policies. In Japan and South Korea, semiconductors are aptly called the "rice of industry"—and in our data-driven economy, this metaphor has never been more relevant
YMTC, China's leading NAND flash producer, has unveiled a US$2.9 billion Phase III venture in Wuhan, signaling its determination to scale up capacity and sharpen its edge in next-generation memory chips. The move not only underscores Beijing's backing of a national champion but also raises the stakes in the intensifying global memory race
The Trump administration recently announced it would acquire nearly 10% of Intel's shares, becoming its largest shareholder. This move marks one of the most notable government interventions in a private company since the US government's bailout of the automotive industry during the 2008 financial crisis
US President Donald Trump's imposition of reciprocal tariffs and aggressive "Make America Great Again" measures has deepened political and economic rifts even among allies, undermining long-standing trust and reliance on the US. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China, on September 1 brought together major powers including China, Russia, India, and Iran. This was soon followed by a grand military parade on September 3, during which the heads of state of North Korea and Russia joined Chinese leaders, in an alarming threat to global peace
Advanced packaging is rewriting the rules of the semiconductor industry. According to DIGITIMES Research, in 2024, global AI data center accelerators (covering GPUs and ASICs) have seen advanced back-end packaging costs reach US$4.1 billion, accounting for 46% of the total process cost structure—nearly matching wafer foundry costs at US$4.8 billion. This has caused the front-end process share to drop significantly to 54%, leaving only an 8% gap between the two
For Apple CEO Tim Cook, returning to the White House in early August 2025 and announcing a US$600 billion investment plan over the next four years was a strategic move that pleased President Donald Trump. Trump responded by stating that any production or factory commitments made in the US would qualify for tariff exemptions, temporarily easing Apple's larger crisis
China's push to localize its memory supply chain is gathering momentum. YMTC has begun trial production at its first fully localized NAND flash fab, while market chatter indicates the company is now quietly investing in DRAM. The move underscores YMTC's ambition to extend beyond NAND dominance, using its patented Xtacking technology to break into DRAM and challenge the world's top three players
