DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Interview: Agentic AI is creating a new frontier of cybersecurity risks

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:57:56 GMT

AI agents and their high-powered capabilities are creating a new category of cybersecurity threats among enterprises using them, from accidental data breaches to bad actors breaking into company systems.

Wonderful Hi-Tech bets on AI servers and satellites for next growth wave

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:54:43 GMT

After a slower second half of 2025, marked by elevated customer inventories and a softer ordering pace, high-end cable material provider Wonderful Hi-Tech anticipates a rebound in 2026. According to the company, inventory adjustments are largely concluding in the first quarter, and customer orders and shipments have been steadily picking up since March, setting the stage for a quarter-by-quarter acceleration in revenue. The company aims to surpass its previously stated NT$10 billion (approx. US$313 million) revenue target, with Chairman Ming-Lieh Chang noting that current trends suggest actual results could exceed that benchmark.

Advantech tops US$635 million in 1Q26 revenue on edge AI demand surge

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:49:47 GMT

Driven by accelerating real-world deployment of edge AI applications across major global markets, industrial PC (IPC) maker Advantech reported March 2026 consolidated revenue of NT$7.7 billion (approx. US$240 million), up 21.75% from NT$6.32 billion a year earlier. For the first three months of 2026, cumulative revenue reached NT$20.39 billion, marking a 17.49% increase from NT$17.35 billion in the same period of 2025.

IndieSemiC eyes India's general-purpose chip gap with Kaynes OSAT deal

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:41:52 GMT

India-based fabless startup IndieSemiC is betting that its new OSAT partnership with Kaynes Semicon can help it move from RF modules into vertically integrated chip products. However, the company acknowledged that the headline volume tied to the collaboration is still based on expected customer adoption rather than firm orders.

Quobly moves quantum chips into volume production

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:34:33 GMT

French quantum chip startup Quobly has continued to report progress while expanding its partnership network. The company has set up a new presence in Canada and gained recognition at the American Physical Society meeting, where it was identified as a potential key player in the emerging quantum computing era.

FOPLP and WMCM emerge as key to fan-out packaging competitive field

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:25:16 GMT

The advanced packaging market is entering a structural turning point. Among emerging technologies, fan-out packaging has hit a sweet spot between cost and performance, making it a key next-generation solution for applications such as AI mobile devices and high-performance computing (HPC). As a result, it has become a new battleground actively pursued by both foundries and OSAT providers.

Intel challenges TSMC CoWoS as Amazon, Google reportedly explore alternatives

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:09:37 GMT

AI-driven demand is pushing advanced chip packaging to its limits, exposing constraints in TSMC's CoWoS capacity and forcing hyperscalers to seek alternatives, leaving Intel as the only credible challenger with its EMIB platform.

US MATCH bill targets China chip equipment, services

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:08:52 GMT

US lawmakers are moving to tighten semiconductor restrictions, with a bipartisan proposal targeting both equipment exports and downstream controls on advanced chips.

From components to systems: Ennostar to highlight optical comms, automation tech at Touch Taiwan

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:08:40 GMT

As the optoelectronics industry shifts from competition in individual components toward systems integration and higher value-added applications, optoelectronics solution provider Ennostar is focusing on two emerging sectors with long-term growth potential at the Touch Taiwan 2026 exhibition, running from April 8-10: optical communications and sensing, and automation. The company is also integrating its two core technologies of microLED and miniLED with automotive optoelectronics, presenting a comprehensive layout across four high-value application segments.

China seeks break from Nvidia CUDA grip in AI chips

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:08:17 GMT

Generative AI is concentrating control of computing power within a narrow set of architectures and ecosystems. Wei Shaojun, chairman of the IC design branch of the China Semiconductor Industry Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, said AI competition now extends beyond hardware to control of rules and ecosystems, warning that continued reliance on existing systems could lock China into long-term dependence on critical technologies.

Rapid deployment and flexible scalability drive the rise of modular data centers

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:07:32 GMT

As GPU platforms continue to iterate each year, the buildout of AI infrastructure is accelerating in tandem. For data center operators, cloud service providers, hyperscalers, and large enterprises, the challenge is no longer just building the facility, but rather how to bring computing power online faster while preserving flexibility for future upgrades and expansion.

Korean chip suppliers face second year of price cuts despite AI boom

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 07:04:46 GMT

Samsung and SK Hynix delivered record performance in 2025, driven by strong investment in AI infrastructure. Yet the gains have not flowed upstream. Materials and component suppliers are facing a second consecutive year of price cuts, with contract terms for 2026 again revised lower.

Arm's three-pronged approach increases pressure on x86 in cloud CPU market

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 07:02:02 GMT

Market sentiment toward the future of Arm CPUs in cloud AI is increasingly positive. According to Counterpoint Research, x86 architectures have maintained overwhelming dominance in cloud AI CPUs over the past three years. However, starting in the second half of 2026, Arm CPU penetration is expected to rise rapidly.

UBTech sees losses and margins improve as humanoid robots drive 40% of revenue

Kevin Wang — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 06:58:53 GMT

Chinese humanoid robot maker UBTech significantly improved its overall gross margin and reduced losses in 2025, with full-size embodied intelligent humanoid robot sales soaring by more than 2200% year-on-year to CNY820 million (US$119 million), becoming the company's largest revenue source.

In-depth: How DeepSeek V4 strengthens Huawei's role in China's AI stack

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 06:44:19 GMT

China's push for a self-sufficient AI stack is no longer theoretical — it is entering deployment. DeepSeek's upcoming V4 model, expected within weeks, signals a shift from experimentation to execution, linking software, chips, and policy into a single system.

Global AI chip suppliers compete as TSMC remains top foundry partner

Rodney Chan — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 06:01:09 GMT

As the artificial intelligence (AI) era advances, approximately 133 companies are actively developing or selling AI chips, according to a SEMIEcosystem report citing Jon Peddie Research. Major suppliers include Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Google, alongside numerous startups focusing on edge AI solutions.

MSScorps targets CPO demand with in-house silicon photonics test platform

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 05:58:22 GMT

MSScorps has expanded its silicon photonics (SiPh) testing capabilities in recent years and will debut its in-house "MSS HG" platform at the Electronic Production Equipment Exhibition on April 8.

MediaTek, Qualcomm reportedly cut smartphone AP orders with TSMC

Charlene Chen — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 05:46:00 GMT

Amid soaring memory prices, manufacturers have repeatedly lowered 2026 shipment targets for smartphones, PCs, and other consumer electronics, triggering a ripple effect across the supply chain. Recently, reports emerged that major Chinese smartphone brands are scaling back purchases of processors, forcing MediaTek and Qualcomm to reduce their subsequent orders with TSMC, with estimated cuts of 10-15% in wafer starts on 4/3nm processes.

Innodisk revenue jumps 4x in March, first-quarter hits record

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 04:38:24 GMT

Memory module maker Innodisk extended its strong growth momentum in March 2026, reporting monthly revenue of NT$5.67 billion (approx. US$177.34 million), up 35.8% month-over-month and 484.8% year-over-year. First-quarter revenue reached NT$13.18 billion, also a record high.

US PIPIR advances drone-missile strategy, integrating Taiwan into 'non-China' defense supply chains in Indo-Pacific

Willis Ke — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 04:21:35 GMT

Amid sustained Middle East tensions, the US is redirecting strategic attention to the Indo-Pacific region, advancing a defense industrial network among first island chain partners. Through the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR), Washington is spearheading a shift toward localized production and allied coordination to effectively decouple regional defense networks from Chinese supply chains.

Price wars and vertical integration reshape China's auto industry

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 04:07:49 GMT

China's auto market is undergoing a structural shift in the first quarter of 2026. While joint-venture giants such as Volkswagen and Toyota have posted strong sales, a deeper divergence is emerging. Domestic manufacturers, adopting a development model closer to consumer electronics and emphasizing vertical integration, are charting a path fundamentally different from the traditional, foreign-led automotive system.

China's auto sales shift, but price war shows no sign of ending

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 04:03:35 GMT

China's auto market showed a notable shift in the first quarter of 2026, with Volkswagen, Geely, and Toyota returning to the top of the sales rankings in the first two months of the year. BYD, long the market leader, slipped to fourth place, drawing widespread attention.

Google's chip revisions raise questions for MediaTek's growth plans

Elaine Chen — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 04:01:07 GMT

Recent reports suggest that Google has once again made engineering changes to its Tensor Processing Unit, or TPU, pushing the chip's tape-out to around mid-2026. The product in question—known as the v8x and designed by MediaTek—has raised fresh concerns about whether MediaTek can scale its application-specific integrated circuit, or ASIC, business as planned this year.

Foxconn posts strong March revenue, expects 2Q26 growth despite seasonal trends

Lily Hess — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 03:57:51 GMT

Foxconn reported a robust consolidated revenue of NT$803.7 billion (approx. US$25.1 billion) in March 2026, driven by sustained demand for AI cloud products and restocking across all major product lines after the Lunar New Year. The company's four key categories showed month-over-month gains, with AI cloud servers continuing to be the primary growth engine, while the company's consumer smart device and computer terminal businesses benefited from new product launches and renewed momentum.

Exclusive: Apple reportedly shifts over 40% of MacBook production to Vietnam, including new budget Neo model

Charlene Chen — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 03:39:21 GMT

Industry sources reveal that in response to geopolitical risks, major brands have increasingly diversified their manufacturing outside China. Apple has already transferred more than 40% of its MacBook production capacity to Vietnam, incorporating the recently launched MacBook Neo into local assembly lines.

Taiwan, Japan join forces on next-gen drones with core technology alliance

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 03:24:09 GMT

The "brain" of a drone plays a critical role in flight missions. While Taiwanese manufacturers have advantages in drone hardware production, integrating the core control systems remains a challenge.

China AI platforms compete for developer access via OpenClaw mirror

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 03:02:01 GMT

Open-source AI agent project OpenClaw, colloquially referred to as "raising lobsters," is gaining momentum in China. The launch of its official China mirror on April 1 is pushing activity beyond developer circles into cloud platforms and major tech firms, turning the project into a focal point for platform competition.

PCB bottlenecks, freight costs push electronics prices higher

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 02:45:30 GMT

The global electronics supply chain is facing a cost shock not seen in years. War in Iran, surging AI demand, and tight capacity are simultaneously driving up prices across raw materials, key components, and logistics.

Weekly news roundup: China's special AI chip supply ends; TSMC plans 12 fabs in Arizona

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 02:13:10 GMT

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of March 30-April 5, 2026:

Samsung's eightfold profit jump signals AI spending immunity to geopolitical risk

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 01:59:05 GMT

Samsung Electronics reported a record-shattering eight-fold leap in quarterly profit, as insatiable demand for artificial intelligence (AI) memory chips outweighed growing concerns over geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

Anthropic secures 3.5 GW of next-gen compute via landmark alliance with Google and Broadcom

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 01:50:15 GMT

Anthropic, Google, and Broadcom today announced a massive expansion of their strategic partnership, unveiling a multi-year roadmap that secures approximately 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of next-generation AI computing capacity for Anthropic.

Analysis: NVLink licensing reshapes semiconductor alliance; potential Broadcom truce

Emily Kuo — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 01:35:07 GMT

In September 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made a rare joint livestream appearance with Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger to announce a US$5 billion equity investment in Intel. In March 2026, Nvidia followed up with a US$2 billion investment in Marvell Technology. Why Huang is investing in potential competitors so aggressively remains a question.

Formosa Plastics denies cutting PE supply amid US-Iran conflict, confirms March output increase

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:10:36 GMT

Impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, Taiwan has recently reported a shortage of plastic bags, raising questions about whether Formosa Plastics Group deliberately reduced production and stockpiled raw materials to drive up prices in the plastic pellet market.

AI is the new electricity — and it's already rewiring the ad industry

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:10:24 GMT

iKala co-founder and chairman Sega Cheng made a bold declaration at "iKala Connection Day" on March 30: AI is now the world's third essential infrastructure, ranking alongside water and electricity. Computing costs are halving every six months, he said, fueling a wave of adoption unlike anything seen before.

AMT expands into medical and e-paper amid geopolitical uncertainty

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:09:52 GMT

Industrial touch panel maker Apex Material Technology (AMT), whose core business spans industrial control and medical applications, accounting for up to 90% of its operations, will continue to deepen its presence in the medical and energy-efficient e-paper sectors in 2026. Following shipments of over 10,000 e-paper units in 2025, volumes are expected to grow further in 2026, contributing to tangible revenue and profit gains. The company noted that despite headwinds such as geopolitical conflicts and rising material costs, both revenue and operating margin in 2026 are expected to remain in line with 2025 performance.

Acer's smart mobility sector to hit double-digit growth in 2026

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:09:38 GMT

Acer's smart mobility strategy is beginning to show results. The company expects the overall industry to rebound in 2026 and anticipates its smart mobility to expand, with full-year growth likely reaching double digits. Key growth markets will be the US and Canada, while opportunities in electric motorcycles and e-bikes are also promising in the Asia-Pacific region. However, despite being a large e-bike market, China is not a current target due to intense competition.

With Vera, Nvidia stops borrowing and starts building its own CPU muscle

Lily Hess — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:09:20 GMT

Since artificial general intelligence (AGI) depends heavily on the CPU, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang aims to build the most efficient "AI factory" by tightly controlling CPU development. At GTC 2026, Nvidia aggressively promoted its next-generation self-developed Arm-based CPU designed specifically for agentic AI.

Canada welcomes Chinese EVs as US draws hard line

Elaine Chen — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:09:09 GMT

In January 2026, Canada reached an agreement with China to allow the annual import of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), replacing tariffs that had previously reached as high as 100%. The policy shift has fueled consumer speculation about the prospect of "half-price" cars. In practice, however, industry executives say such expectations are unlikely to materialize.

CCL expansion triggers equipment shortages; lead times extend up to two years

Emily Kuo — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:08:55 GMT

Driven by applications such as AI high-speed computing, electric vehicles (EVs), and 5G/6G communications, demand for high-frequency, high-speed PCB materials has surged. Copper-clad laminate (CCL) makers across Taiwan and China, including Elite Material (EMC), Taiwan Union Technology Corporation (TUC), ITEQ, and Guangdong Shengyi Technology (Sytech), have all launched a new wave of advanced capacity expansion.

China channels billions into space start-ups through IPO pipeline

Elaine Chen — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 00:08:30 GMT

In recent years, space has emerged as a central arena of global strategic competition, drawing heavy investment from the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and India. Among them, China has moved aggressively to commercialize its space sector, encouraging private start-ups to develop rockets and satellites while building an independent ecosystem in low-Earth orbit. The aim is to narrow the gap with SpaceX.

Smartphone order cuts hit IC design as recovery pushes to 2027

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 10:12:15 GMT

Market sentiment toward the 2026 smartphone outlook has turned increasingly pessimistic. On the supply side, rising component costs have expanded beyond memory to include across-the-board chip price hikes, making it unclear whether the initial round of handset price increases seen in early 2026 will be the only one.