DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Tong Hsing Electronic expects revenue acceleration as fiber optics drives expansion

Elaine Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:45:12 GMT

Tong Hsing Electronic, a Taiwanese semiconductor packaging and substrate manufacturer specializing in CMOS image sensors, said on Monday that optical communication modules have become its fastest-growing business, helping drive demand across RF components, ceramic substrates, and automotive and mobile imaging products, positioning the company for stronger-than-expected revenue growth in 2026.

YMTC to more than double capacity with new fabs amid China chip push

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:43:23 GMT

Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC) plans to build two additional fabrication plants, alongside a third facility nearing completion — a move that would more than double its production capacity once all three sites are operational, according to people familiar with the matter.

Beyond Huawei: China's New H3C Leverages Former HP Roots to Dominate ASEAN Server Markets

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:15:34 GMT

Chinese top-3 server exporter, the New H3C, is seeing server export value expand, leveraging two major export routes to target ASEAN and Central Asian markets.

Taiwan equipment makers ride advanced packaging and SiPh wave

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:46:52 GMT

Nvidia is accelerating the commercial rollout of silicon photonics (SiPh) technology, marked by the launch of its Rubin Ultra platform and the gradual establishment of co-packaged optics (CPO) architecture. This milestone signals a new technological turning point for the semiconductor industry.

Nscale redirects OpenAI's Stargate Norway capacity to Microsoft

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:42:42 GMT

Hyperscaler Nscale has agreed to rent data center capacity to Microsoft at its campus in Narvik, Norway. Located in the Arctic Circle, the site was previously intended for OpenAI as part of its Stargate initiative — a project that has also recently been put on hold in the UK.

South Korea's 97.5% reliance on Israeli bromine puts chip supply chain at risk

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:27:11 GMT

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are stoking concerns over semiconductor materials supply chains, as key inputs such as helium and bromine face potential disruptions amid ongoing conflict in the region.

Samsung's record quarter sparks union standoff, putting global chip market and South Korean economy at stake

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:59:10 GMT

Samsung Electronics' union has sharply raised bonus demands after the company reported its best-ever performance in the first quarter of 2026, raising the prospect of strikes that could disrupt global semiconductor supply, alter chip prices, affect international competitors and South Korea's tax revenues, and undermine long-term investment plans and growth, according to outlets including Maeil Business Newspaper and New Daily.

ASML posts solid 1Q26 as AI-driven demand lifts outlook

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:56:03 GMT

ASML reported first-quarter 2026 results in line with expectations, signaling continued momentum from surging artificial intelligence (AI) demand and strengthening semiconductor industry fundamentals.

Stanford AI report: US-China AI gap narrows as China accelerates industrialization

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:55:08 GMT

The Stanford University Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute (HAI) released its 2026 AI Index Annual Report, highlighting a pivotal shift in the global AI race. The report reveals that the performance gap between China and the US in AI model capabilities has significantly narrowed, with both countries now entering a phase of "parallel competition." However, this progress comes alongside sharply rising capital and resource costs.

China ICT firm Tsinghua Unigroup grows revenue, scales AI infrastructure through H3C

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:23:05 GMT

China's Tsinghua Unigroup reported full-year 2025 revenue of CNY96.75 billion (US$13.4 billion), up 22.43% year on year, with net profit rising a more modest 7.19% to CNY1.69 billion, reflecting continued investment in AI infrastructure and cloud platforms.

Japan forges physical AI alliance to challenge US and China

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:52:13 GMT

Japan is accelerating efforts to build domestic AI capabilities, with SoftBank and major industrial partners forming a new company focused on physical AI to power robots, vehicles, and factory systems. Referred to as the Japan AI Foundation Model Development, the new venture was established by SoftBank, NEC, Honda Motor, and Sony Group, each holding stakes of more than 10%, according to Nikkei Asia and TechWire Asia. Additional investors include Nippon Steel, Kobe Steel, and major Japanese banks such as MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho, reflecting broad backing from Japan's industrial and financial sectors.

Amazon to acquire Globalstar for US$11.6 billion, escalating space internet race

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:24:16 GMT

Amazon said on April 14 it would acquire Globalstar for US$90 a share, in a deal valued at about US$11.57 billion, accelerating its push into space-based communications and sharpening its competition with SpaceX in the race to deliver internet and mobile connectivity from orbit.

China seeks energy self-sufficiency as geopolitical risks rise

Elaine Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:04:18 GMT

China is preparing to shift the focus of its energy strategy from building power plants to transforming how energy is consumed, as leaders seek to reduce reliance on imported fuels and strengthen national security.

RISC-V gains ground in AI data centers with Nvidia backing SiFive

Levi Li — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:58:38 GMT

AI workloads are scaling faster than traditional CPU architectures were ever designed to handle, exposing clear limits in performance per watt. SiFive's latest funding round highlights a shift in industry thinking, with RISC-V moving from niche alternative to a credible option for next-gen computing.

PX Mart's bigger ESL bet could accelerate Taiwan's retail digitization and ease staffing pressures

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:48:18 GMT

PX Mart, Taiwan's retail leader, is accelerating its electronic shelf label (ESL) deployment, raising its investment from NT$3-4 billion (US$95-127 million) and shortening the rollout from three years to 2.5 years to achieve nationwide coverage by June 2028. The company frames the move as part of a broader push toward smart retail.

Apple supplier Luxshare guides 1Q26 profit up 20%, expands into AI PCs and data centres

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:28:57 GMT

China's Luxshare Precision expects net profit for the first quarter of 2026 to reach CNY3.65–3.71 billion (US$507–515 million), marking a 20%–22% year-on-year increase, even as rising component costs and shifting product cycles weigh on near-term operations.

Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs advances drone-based high-altitude platform station plan

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:28:00 GMT

To strengthen communications resilience, Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) is promoting a high-altitude platform station (HAPS) project. The initiative uses domestically produced drones as carriers integrated with communication systems to create an aerial communications platform featuring long endurance and high payload capacity. The program aims to begin testing with telecommunications operators in the third quarter of 2026, with plans to publicly showcase its achievements in October.

Samsung SDI in final talks to supply batteries for Mercedes EVs

Elaine Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:21:56 GMT

Samsung SDI is in advanced talks to supply batteries for next-generation electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, in what could mark the South Korean company's first entry into the German automaker's EV lineup.

SK Hynix may cut Nvidia HBM4 shipments as Rubin ramp reportedly faces delays

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:17:39 GMT

SK Hynix is reportedly considering reducing its planned 2026 shipments of high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) to Nvidia by about 20-30%, amid delays in ramping up Nvidia's next-generation Vera Rubin platform, according to ZDNet Korea.

Column: How do intelligent robots learn action skills?

Emily Kuo — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:13:17 GMT

Flipping an egg takes less than two seconds, but every step involves continuous sensing, judgment, and force control; spreading jam and arranging plates are the same. The difficulty of these atomic skills does not lie in executing fixed trajectories, but in performing correctly in complex environments.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics to pour KRW1.8 trillion into Vietnam as ABF demand outstrips supply

Emily Kuo — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:11:40 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEM) is reportedly planning to invest KRW1.8 trillion (US$1.22 billion) in Vietnam to expand ABF substrate production capacity. As AI drives a surge in demand for semiconductor substrates, the move aims to alleviate supply bottlenecks and further strengthen its competitive position. According to Korean media Herald Business and Bloomberg, SEM plans to inject around KRW1.8 trillion into its Vietnam manufacturing subsidiary to expand production of high-value-added ABF substrates. Data from Vietnam's Foreign Investment Agency shows that SEM has obtained an investment registration certificate, with the project targeting the production of ABF substrates for robotics, autonomous vehicles, and AI applications. The project is known as "SEM Vietnam Phase 2."

Southern Taiwan Science Park eyes US$94 billion on AI tailwinds

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:08:57 GMT

Riding the artificial intelligence (AI) boom and strong demand for advanced semiconductor processes, the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) posted record-high revenue of NT$2.97 trillion (approx. US$94.13 billion) for 2025, up 34.26% from 2024. The figure fell just shy of the industry's original projection of NT$3 trillion, yet the park maintained its leading position among Taiwan's three major science parks.

Taiwan's AI chip dominance draws the global spotlight and scrutiny

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:01:10 GMT

Taiwan has emerged as the world's most consequential node in the AI supply chain — and the world is taking notice. Backed by TSMC's NT$53 trillion (US$1.67 trillion) market capitalization and a surge in AI-driven investment, the island's semiconductor industry now anchors global supply chains, capital flows, and financial stability in ways few anticipated. But as that concentration deepens, so do the questions: can Taiwan's tech-heavy economy absorb geopolitical shocks, monetary shifts, and energy risks without dragging global markets with it?

Exein deepens APAC push with regional hub aimed at device-level security compliance

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:53:16 GMT

Italian embedded cybersecurity firm Exein opened an Asia-Pacific operations center and Taipei office, positioning Taiwan as its regional hub. The move aims to help manufacturers across APAC meet international "security by design" requirements, support access to EU and global markets, and accelerate device-integrated runtime protection for global supply chains worldwide.

China chip tool imports shift to Southeast Asia as US tightens export controls

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:52:15 GMT

China's imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Southeast Asia surged in 2025, surpassing direct shipments from the US, according to a Nikkei Asia analysis, as Washington moves to tighten export controls on advanced chipmaking tools.

Taiwan EMS players advance automotive ambitions with integrated mobility solutions

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:46:45 GMT

Kinpo Group's subsidiaries showcased integrated smart mobility technologies at Autotronics Taipei, highlighting the implications for global automakers and suppliers seeking end-to-end solutions across cockpit computing, power systems, and sensing. The demonstrations signal the Taiwanese EMS players' advancing strategies in automotive electronics and could accelerate OEM development and deployment worldwide.

China Northern Rare Earth hikes 2Q26 rare earth ore prices over 44%, experts warn of demand destruction

Lily Hess — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:19:17 GMT

China Northern Rare Earth, the leading player in China's rare earth industry, has raised its rare earth ore (REO) prices for the second quarter of 2026 by more than 44%. Amid geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, this significant price increase has drawn strong attention across the sector.

Broadcom and Meta deepen AI infrastructure alliance with multi-gigawatt ambitions

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:13:26 GMT

Broadcom and Meta have unveiled a sweeping multi-year, multi-generation partnership aimed at scaling Meta's AI infrastructure, signaling a deeper shift toward custom silicon and vertically integrated AI systems. The collaboration centers on Meta's Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) chips, with Broadcom providing the underlying technologies and co-design expertise through its XPU platform.

Samsung QD-OLED tops 5 million units; LG turns to rival supply

Levi Li — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:02:02 GMT

Samsung Display has crossed a key inflection point in the premium monitor market, with cumulative QD-OLED panel shipments exceeding 5 million units by March 2026.

VLA models: The rise of a new intelligence engine for robots

Emily Kuo — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

For decades, robots have been exceptional at repetition and poor at reasoning. They thrive in rigidly structured environments — performing the same weld, the same pick, the same turn, thousands of times without error. Ask one to adapt, and it falls apart. The gap between a machine that moves and one that thinks has long been the central challenge of robotics.

CyberTAN post strong 1Q26 growth on improved product mix

Elaine Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:45:00 GMT

CyberTAN, a networking hardware maker, reported strong revenue growth in March 2026, supported by a stronger product mix and solid shipment contributions. Consolidated revenue reached NT$374 million, up 30.9% year-over-year, while first-quarter 2026 revenue totaled NT$1.112 billion, a 27.85% increase from the same period a year earlier.

CCL price hikes to extend through 2026 with rising glass fiber and copper foil costs

Sherri Wang — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:40:25 GMT

Surging demand for high-end PCBs driven by AI servers and switches is intensifying supply imbalances for upstream materials. Industry sources said the rising cost of copper-clad laminate (CCL) is accelerating down the supply chain, prompting PCB manufacturers to adjust quotes for customers.

Exein opens Taipei hub with unlimited Taiwan investment, aims to build chip-to-application cybersecurity ecosystem

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:13:33 GMT

Italian embedded cybersecurity firm Exein has opened an Asia-Pacific operations center in Taipei and pledged essentially unlimited investment in Taiwan, a move with implications for global supply chains and manufacturers facing stricter EU cybersecurity rules. The Taipei office will support local business and expand to a team of 10 by late 2026, positioning Taiwan as a regional hub for chip-to-application security.

Foxconn deepens EV vertical integration with CDMS model for streamlined production

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:52:12 GMT

Foxconn's expanded EV push signals potential cost and supply-chain shifts worldwide, as the Taiwanese contract manufacturer deepens vertical integration with in-house batteries, new vehicle models, and global production flexibility. The company aims to lower EV costs, support exports, and respond swiftly to geopolitical and fuel-price volatility affecting international markets broadly.

Taiwan's smart building industry sets sights on 2026 as a pivotal growth year

Rodney Chan — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:45:00 GMT

Taiwan has long been recognized as a global hardware powerhouse, but its building technology sector is now staking a claim in the smarter, software-driven frontier of urban infrastructure. Backed by updated government certification frameworks, a wave of cross-sector industry alliances, and technology giants demonstrating real-world AI and digital twin deployments, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Taiwan's smart building and intelligent facility sector.

India's industrial ambitions face supply-chain constraints as China tightens technology access in batteries and EVs

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:38:19 GMT

India's push to build a domestic advanced manufacturing ecosystem is facing renewed pressure from China's tightening control over critical technologies, particularly in the battery and electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, according to Bloomberg.

Taiwan, Japan team up on advanced materials to power next-gen chips and clean energy

Willis Ke — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:35:00 GMT

Japan dominates the global market for semiconductor equipment and materials — a strategic chokepoint that its neighbors and partners have long sought to learn from, not just rely on. Taiwan, home to the world's most advanced chip fabrication ecosystem, has spent years building closer ties with Tokyo in materials science. Now, that partnership is entering a more ambitious phase.

China's carmakers push ahead in solid-state battery race

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Last month, China's Chery Automobile unveiled an all-solid-state battery it says can deliver a driving range exceeding 1,500 kilometers, positioning the technology as a central pillar of its next phase of electric vehicle development.

Cooling fan makers remain optimistic about 2026 operations

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:14:11 GMT

Record revenues and aggressive liquid-cooling rollouts at leading fan makers signal shifting global demand, with server and automotive needs underpinning growth while consumer-linked segments face supply-driven setbacks. The developments could reshape cooling supply chains worldwide, influence data center and EV thermal strategies, and affect component markets for PCs and gaming.

Nvidia unveils 'Ising' AI models to accelerate quantum computing development

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:05:37 GMT

Nvidia has introduced a new open family of AI models called Ising, designed to address two of the most persistent engineering bottlenecks in quantum computing: processor calibration and error correction.

Taiwan cooling suppliers post record March revenue as AI demand lifts liquid cooling

Sherri Wang — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:57:49 GMT

Taiwan's leading thermal solution providers reported record revenue in March 2026, as AI-driven demand extended into general-purpose servers and network switches, lifting overall shipments across the sector.

Samsung tipped to lead global chip profits as AI elevates memory, veteran exec predicts

Kevin Wang — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:56:09 GMT

Yoon-woo Lee, a semiconductor expert and former vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, believes Samsung may become the world's most profitable company by 2027–2028, driven by structural changes in the semiconductor value chain brought on by the rapid expansion of AI.

Netherlands approves Tesla FSD, marking a key AI regulatory milestone in Europe

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:54:51 GMT

According to multiple reports, the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) has officially approved Tesla's full self-driving (FSD) software for use on public roads. This marks the first such approval in Europe and is expected to serve as a critical milestone that could encourage other European countries to adopt the technology.

Nanya Technology predicts DRAM price surge in 2Q26 as private equity boosts growth

Lily Hess — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:53:13 GMT

Despite recent softening in the DRAM spot market, Nanya Technology president Pei-Ing Lee said DRAM prices will rise by the "tens of percentage points" in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter. He expects strong gross margins to continue through the end of the year amid robust demand that will remain unmet into 2027.

Taiwan races to shore up energy security as US shutters Strait of Hormuz

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:52:48 GMT

Following the US decision to block Iranian ports after failed negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan, tensions in the Middle East have escalated. Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Vice Minister Chien-Hsin Lai stated that, with 60% of Taiwan's crude oil imports coming from the US, diversifying import sources and adopting renewable energy options, advanced energy storage technologies, and deeper energy-saving measures are essential to bolstering Taiwan's energy resilience.

Nvidia's RISC-V push shapes cloud AI's three-way architecture race

Lily Hess — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:42:02 GMT

Nvidia recently joined the Series G funding round of SiFive, a leading RISC-V chip IP provider. Although Nvidia was one among many investors and the round raised about US$400 million, the move marks a significant endorsement for the RISC-V ecosystem, one that Nvidia has long supported through product development built on RISC-V architectures.

Morrison targets AI phone sensor upgrades, expands into 3 emerging markets

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:41:25 GMT

Morrison expects AI smartphone penetration to exceed 60% within five years, driving continuous upgrades in optical sensor specifications. Despite short-term headwinds from memory supply-demand imbalances impacting the global consumer electronics market, the company expects sustained benefits from product upgrades through 2026.

Europe's sovereign AI ambitions open doors for Korean NPU startup

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:41:11 GMT

South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) chip startups FuriosaAI and Rebellion are accelerating their expansion into Europe, aiming to capitalize on growing demand for sovereign AI infrastructure.

Global semiconductor equipment sales hit record US$135B in 2025 as AI-driven investment surges

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:40:56 GMT

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales reached a record US$135.1 billion in 2025, rising 15% from US$117.1 billion in 2024, according to the latest data from SEMI. The growth reflects sustained industry investment in advanced logic, memory, and AI-driven capacity expansion, underscoring the accelerating buildout of semiconductor infrastructure worldwide.

Quantum-AI convergence shifts focus to long-term data security risks

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:34:26 GMT

The convergence of AI and quantum computing is drawing increasing attention from governments and enterprises, particularly around long-term data security, speakers said at a panel discussion during GITEX AI Asia.

AI shifts work from execution to judgment as agents move into production

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:34:03 GMT

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are moving into real-world deployment across industries, automating routine workflows and pushing human roles toward oversight, judgment, and system design, speakers said at GITEX AI Asia.

Sovereign AI drives CSPs and telcos toward decentralized architectures for monetization

Lily Hess — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:52:31 GMT

At the recently concluded GITEX AI Asia conference, executives from Nokia, AI chip innovator Blaize, and Indonesian telecom provider Datacomm discussed the evolution of AI infrastructure. In an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES, they highlighted that while training remains centralized in low-cost remote locations, inference architectures are rapidly shifting toward edge decentralization to enhance response times and data sovereignty.