The Japanese government's decision to heavily subsidize Rapidus, a domestic semiconductor company, via legislative changes has ignited discussions among industry specialists. Asahi Shimbun reports that Rapidus's focus on extreme semiconductor miniaturization is seen by some as an outdated strategy, reminiscent of a 19th-century obsession with "battleships and heavy artillery," missing the true trends of the industry
Samsung Electronics is reportedly stabilizing yields in its advanced chipmaking process, fueling optimism over its next-generation Exynos 2600 SoC. The development raises the prospect of breaking Qualcomm's grip on Galaxy S-series devices and reshaping the supply landscape. A strong showing from Exynos 2600 could also complicate MediaTek's efforts to gain a foothold in Samsung's flagship smartphone lineup
Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII) has announced that its subsidiary, Fulian Yukang Medical Technology (Shenzhen), will acquire Guangzhou Tianying Precision Tools in phases at a valuation not exceeding HKD439 million (US$56.51 million)
Samsung Electronics has launched a sweeping internal review of its System LSI and foundry businesses, signaling potential restructuring efforts as the company grapples with widening losses and intensifying competition with TSMC. The move follows growing concerns over the performance of Samsung's non-memory semiconductor operations, which have yet to yield the expected results despite significant investments
China is advancing in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, with a domestically developed system undergoing testing at Huawei's Dongguan facility, according to XFastest and Wccftech. Trial production is reportedly set for the third quarter of 2025, with mass production targeted for 2026
Naura Technology, with its expertise in etching, thin film deposition, and cleaning equipment, has moved up its global ranking to sixth from tenth place
Hesai Technology has achieved its first full-year non-GAAP profitability. Lei News and IT Home reported the leading Chinese LiDAR company's unaudited financial results for 2024. Fourth-quarter revenue reached CNY720 million (US$99.30 million), up 28.3% year over year. Hesai posted a net income of CNY150 million for the quarter, reversing a CNY140 million net loss from the same period in 2023
CATL, a global leader in batteries and energy storage, is further expanding into semiconductors. While the company maintains a low-profile approach, each of its investments generates significant market interest. This latest move marks CATL's third known investment in an IC design startup, reinforcing its growing focus on semiconductor technology
Recent reports indicate that the US will hold a hearing discussing whether tariffs should be imposed on China's mature process chips. Industry experts predict that several chip manufacturers, including market leader SMIC, may face tariff sanctions in the future
Syncmold Enterprise expects to resume revenue growth in 2024, fueled by strong demand for display and low-orbit satellite products. Chairman Chiu-lang Chen predicts sustained operational growth into 2025, aided by tariffs and efficient order management. The company targets surpassing NT$10 billion (US$304 million) in revenue, aiming for concurrent profit increases
China's automotive industry is facing a critical shortage of 8-megapixel (8MP) automotive CMOS image sensors (CIS) as automakers shift toward centralized computing architectures. Instead of processing visual data at the edge, Chinese manufacturers are consolidating it within the vehicle's central processing unit (CPU), fueling a surge in demand for high-resolution CIS
BYD, China's automotive giant, has recently taken the lead in the race for intelligent driving equality, triggering a nationwide push among car manufacturers to accelerate the adoption of smarter, more autonomous vehicles. The rise of Deepseek, a promising new player in the field, appears poised to significantly impact China's intelligent driving sector, potentially reshaping the future of the industry
A Chinese lawmaker has proposed allowing blacklisted domestic firms to secretly procure foreign semiconductor technology and components, circumventing US export controls. The proposal calls for bypassing public tender requirements in favor of private transactions, shielding overseas suppliers from potential US scrutiny
Loongson Technology has secured a spot in China Energy Investment Corporation's 2025 office terminal procurement project for the second year in a row. The selection underscores Loongson's advancements in CPU performance, software compatibility, and technical support for the energy industry
For three years, China's automotive market has been embroiled in a price-cutting war, evolving from a tussle between new energy vehicles and traditional cars to a contest for smart driving capabilities. Automakers are vying for market share with rapid tech upgrades and aggressive pricing for new models, while the used car market faces increasing turmoil
