DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Falling margins and memory crisis causing spec downgrades on TV panels

Emily Kuo — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:49:10 GMT

Since the fourth quarter of 2025, memory prices have risen rapidly, driving up overall storage costs and placing significant pressure on TV manufacturers. Sharp changes in cost structures and concerns over weakening end-market demand have also intensified among brands. As a result, cost control has become a top priority in product strategy, further accelerating a trend toward downgraded panel specifications.

ASML raises 2026 revenue guidance as AI-driven chip demand overwhelms supply — and its customers know it

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:47:09 GMT

The lithography giant's first quarter earnings call reveals more than a beat-and-raise quarter: it exposes a structural shift in how chipmakers relate to their sole EUV supplier

JSR restarts Taiwan production as TSMC dominates advanced nodes

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:43:04 GMT

Japanese photoresist leader JSR officially announced on April 15 the establishment of an advanced planarization process solutions research center in Hukou, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Rockchip reports record results, scales AIoT chips across industries

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:40:35 GMT

China-based chip designer Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics posted record full-year 2025 results, with AIoT processors driving growth across automotive, robotics, and industrial markets.

SkyeChip IPO signals Malaysia's push into high-value chip design

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:40:15 GMT

Malaysia-based semiconductor design firm SkyeChip has appointed Maybank Investment Bank and CIMB Investment Bank as underwriters for its planned Main Market listing, according to a report by The Edge Malaysia.

Orange Electronic expands in Europe as auto aftermarket demand holds up

Elaine Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:39:54 GMT

Orange Electronic, a Taiwanese maker of tire pressure monitoring systems, is expanding its presence in Europe's automotive aftermarket, defying a broader slowdown in global vehicle sales and weak consumer demand weighed down by inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.

Spain aims to boost chip design, photonics, and quantum tech influence

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:39:29 GMT

The Spanish ICT Association (AMETIC) has been actively promoting Spain's standing in the domestic technology industry. Albert Anglarill, director of AMETIC's Catalonia office, said the organization primarily advocates for its member companies, facilitates information exchange, and expands their international visibility. Looking ahead, Spain is focusing on developing key sectors where it already has a solid foundation: chip design, photonics, and quantum computing.

Humanoid robot half-marathon draws Alibaba, Honor in embodied AI test

Levi Li — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:39:06 GMT

Embodied AI is moving into real-world testing, and China's tech giants are stepping in. The Beijing Yizhuang humanoid robot half-marathon on April 19 is set to serve as a high-profile stress test for performance, endurance, and autonomy in next-generation robotics.

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.