DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Arm's AI-driven data center growth offsets smartphone weakness, but softer handset outlook weighs on shares

DIGITIMES — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:55:56 GMT

Arm Holdings reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results as demand for AI and data center chips lifted licensing and royalty revenue. However, the company's warning of slower smartphone royalty growth overshadowed its upbeat forecast, highlighting the challenge of balancing maturing handset markets with expanding AI opportunities.

Samsung memory sales up 471% in 2Q26; foundry targets double-digit second-half growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:52:18 GMT

Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) division posted the most profitable quarter in its history in 2Q26, generating operating profit of KRW89.2 trillion (approx. US$61.6 billion) on sales of KRW127.5 trillion (approx. US$88.1 billion) — a 70% operating margin — as the AI-driven memory supercycle intensified.

US FCC curbs Chinese inverters and robots, accelerating global shift in connected device security

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:49:41 GMT

As power grids, renewable energy systems, and artificial intelligence data centers expand, a new US restriction on Chinese-made inverters and robots could affect suppliers, utilities, and security policies well beyond America. The move may accelerate shifts in global sourcing, tighten scrutiny of connected devices, and influence how other markets manage critical infrastructure risks.

Meta forecasts higher AI spending as legal costs weigh on profit despite strong revenue growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:34:12 GMT

Meta Platforms reported strong second-quarter revenue growth driven by its Family of Apps business, but lower profit and a higher spending outlook highlighted the mounting costs of its artificial intelligence (AI) expansion. The company's updated guidance and ongoing legal challenges prompted investor concerns over the pace of returns from its AI investments.

Qualcomm bets on AI and automotive growth to offset Apple decline as weak outlook pressures shares

DIGITIMES — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:32:31 GMT

Qualcomm forecast weaker fourth-quarter earnings and warned that revenue from Apple products will decline faster than previously expected, underscoring near-term pressure on its smartphone business. However, the chipmaker said expanding AI data center, automotive, and other non-handset businesses are expected to replace lost Apple revenue by fiscal 2027.

UMC, Intel advance 12nm process collab with no next-gen plans at this time

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:17:33 GMT

United Microelectronics (UMC) stated that its collaboration with Intel to develop a 12nm process is progressing smoothly. The process design kit (PDK) is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with tape-out scheduled to begin in 2027. Full-scale mass production and revenue contribution are expected to come in 2028.

UMC posts NT$42.26B profit on non-operating investment gains in 2Q26

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:16:08 GMT

United Microelectronics (UMC) reported consolidated second-quarter 2026 revenue of NT$68.73 billion (approx. US$2.12 billion) during its earnings call on July 29. The figure is up 12.6% from NT$61.04 billion in the first quarter and 17% year-over-year. Profit margin reached 32.5% in the second quarter, up 3.3 percentage points from the previous quarter.

Samsung says rising memory costs will lift Taiwan smartphone market value more than 8% in 2026

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:01:14 GMT

Rising prices for memory and other key components are weighing on smartphone demand in Taiwan, but the overall market value is still expected to grow in 2026, according to Samsung Electronics Taiwan.

Research Insight: German automakers shift strategy as AI powers next-gen cars

Lily Hess — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:40 GMT

Global automakers are facing slower market growth, the rapid rise of Chinese carmakers, and sustained EV investment, with Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz under strain in recent years. While German automakers still lead the global auto industry, revenue and profitability have come under broad pressure over the past two years as competition shifts from volume growth to product value and operating efficiency.

AMD's Helios gains ground in challenge to Nvidia's CUDA

Lily Hess — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:19 GMT

AI infrastructure competition is intensifying, but the market is no longer focusing only on GPU performance and is instead re-evaluating the entire computing system. For AMD, the chance to turn software improvements into market share is now emerging, but two hurdles remain: whether ROCm can run stably in large clusters and whether Helios can enter mass production and ship on time.

As Samsung, BOE expand 8.6G OLED capacity, can LGD keep its edge in the IT OLED market?

Kevin Wang — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:59:26 GMT

LG Display (LGD) has swung back to profitability in the first half of 2026, as the shift from LCD to OLED displays in smartphones, tablets, and notebooks drives the company into a profitable first-half for the first time in five years. Even so, concerns linger for LGD's long-term competitiveness given its relatively cautious pace of investment, compared to the aggressive expansion of 8.6-gen IT OLED capacity at Samsung Display (SDC) and Chinese panel makers.

Interview: Meet the Taiwan firm that wants to be the world's next big supplier of smart-vehicle 'eyes' with Japan— without China

Willis Ke — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:58:49 GMT

As automotive electronics, electrification, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AI-defined vehicles (AIDVs) reshape the global auto industry, Taiwan's Ken Sean Industries is accelerating efforts to build a non-China automotive supply chain in partnership with leading Taiwanese electronics companies and Japanese automakers.

India launches homegrown silicon photonics tools to widen access for researchers and industry

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:58:01 GMT

India has launched two indigenously developed silicon photonics solutions to strengthen local chip design and testing capabilities. The move could matter beyond India, as it could expand global supply chains, lower development barriers, and accelerate the adoption of photonic chips used in communications, sensing, quantum systems, and advanced computing worldwide.

Japan and South Korea MLCC makers signal further price hikes amid AI demand

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:57:23 GMT

Japan and South Korea's MLCC suppliers are again raising prices, signaling tighter supply conditions that could affect electronics makers worldwide. The moves, led by major passive component manufacturers, suggest AI-related demand is reshaping a market previously softened by weaker consumer and automotive orders.

Roborock sees Taiwan as a test market for smart cleaning devices

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:57:04 GMT

A once-mocked robot vacuum category has become central to smart home cleaning as busy lifestyles, health concerns, and climate conditions reshape demand. For readers worldwide, the trend highlights how regional needs, rather than technology alone, are now driving product design, pricing, and adoption in household robotics markets.

Kinko says Taiwan optics can cut AR glasses weight and cost for mainstream adoption

Lily Hess — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:54:46 GMT

AR smart glasses are shaping up as the next revolutionary device after PCs, smartphones, and smartwatches, but the global optics supply chain still faces a major hurdle: making them light and slim enough for everyday use. Kinko Optical CTO Kuo-hua Wu, however, said Taiwan's semiconductor and optics technologies are well-positioned to break through as the market matures.

Nvidia invests US$1B in Naver's sovereign AI push

Charlene Chen — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:54:26 GMT

Nvidia plans to invest in South Korean internet and cloud giant Naver through a US$1 billion third-party share issue for about a 4.5% stake, a move that could make it Naver's third-largest shareholder if the deal closes and treasury shares are canceled. The two companies are also teaming up with global investment firm Brookfield on an AI infrastructure plan worth as much as US$10 billion to turn Naver's GAK Sejong data center into the core of South Korea's sovereign AI factory initiative.

Taiwan launches first robotics competition to benchmark service robots for real-world deployment

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:54:03 GMT

Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding the capabilities of robotics. Yet while industrial robots have become commonplace on factory floors, service robots operating alongside people in hospitals, homes and other public environments still lack widely accepted benchmarks for real-world performance.

Robotics makers race to commercialize dexterous hands for Physical AI

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:53:36 GMT

The robotics industry is moving from AI demonstrations to commercial deployments as vendors push Physical AI into factories, logistics, retail, food service and homes. The shift centers on whether robots can be built as repeatable products that customers will buy, rather than as machines that simply walk, recognize environments or follow commands.

AI demand squeezes memory supply, pressuring PC and TV markets

Charlene Chen — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:53:00 GMT

At an earnings call on July 28, 2026, Coretronics president Sarah Lin said strong demand from the AI industry is creating a clear crowding-out effect on the projector supply chain, which is likely to affect shipments in third-quarter 2026. She also said rising AI-driven memory demand and tighter supply are expected to keep weighing on PCs and TVs.

Greatek sees sustained AI demand, plans Philippines packaging plant acquisition

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:52:28 GMT

Greatek's latest investment and capacity plans signal how AI-driven semiconductor demand is rippling beyond Taiwan, with implications for global device makers, automakers, and industrial customers. The PowerTech Technology unit said orders remain strong, its bumping lines are full, and it is preparing new overseas capacity to support supply chain diversification.

China's robot vacuum makers race ahead as innovation cycle outpaces smartphones

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:52:11 GMT

While humanoid robots have yet to achieve meaningful economies of scale, service robots have already entered an intensely competitive phase.

Less hardware, smarter AI: how a Taiwan startup is making smart glasses weightless

Lily Hess — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:51:48 GMT

A Taiwan startup says it has found a way to hide advanced eye-tracking technology inside what looks like an ordinary pair of glasses — using just one camera and a single LED light source.

Amkor reallocates SiP production to Vietnam, freeing Korean cleanrooms for AI packaging

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:50:57 GMT

Amkor Technology reported record second-quarter results for 2026, characterized by broad-based revenue growth and significant strategic shifts in its global manufacturing footprint. During the subsequent Q&A session, President and CEO Kevin Engel and CFO Megan Faust detailed the company's performance across ten key areas, ranging from volatile smartphone demand to the long-term financial implications of its new US manufacturing facility.

Taiwan smartphone shipments fell below 400,000 in June as seasonal slowdown hits

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:50:17 GMT

Taiwan's smartphone market slipped into its usual June sales lull, pushing monthly shipments back below 400,000 units. A handset distribution source said total shipments reached 395,000 units in June, down nearly 8% from 429,000 in May as inflation and higher component costs continued to pressure pricing.

BMW secures US battery supply with two-stage plan as AESC site stalls

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:50:04 GMT

BMW has put a two-stage battery sourcing plan in place to protect supplies for its South Carolina electric vehicle operations as AESC's US cell plant has faced delays tied to foreign entity rules. The strategy is designed to keep the Woodruff, South Carolina, high-voltage battery assembly plant on schedule for the BMW iX5 and other US-built X-series EVs.

Taiwan semiconductor power demand is set to reach 52 billion kWh in 2026

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:49:49 GMT

Taiwan's semiconductor sector is set to become an even larger driver of electricity demand as AI-related expansion lifts output in wafer fabrication, memory, and advanced packaging. Taipower projected that the industry's power use would reach 52 billion kWh in 2026, underscoring how the island's chip ambitions are reshaping its energy system.

Volkswagen backs EU tariffs on Chinese PHEVs as market pressure builds

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:49:31 GMT

Volkswagen AG has reversed course on European trade protection and now supports possible EU tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles, after opposing such measures three years ago. The change comes as the automaker faces weaker profits in China, rising competition in Europe, and renewed pressure to protect its home market.

CyberLink posts lower 2Q revenue as PC demand and SEO traffic weaken

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:49:13 GMT

CyberLink said revenue fell in the second quarter and the first half of 2026 as higher memory prices hurt PC shipments and weaker search engine optimization (SEO) traffic reduced new customer acquisition. The Taiwan-based multimedia software and services developer still returned to profit in 2026, helped by a much smaller foreign exchange loss.

TSMC: JASM utilities back to normal, equipment calibration underway; construction resumes

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:46:04 GMT

TSMC on Wednesday issued its third statement since a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan on July 28, saying that utility systems at its JASM wafer fab are operating normally, equipment inspection and calibration are in progress, and construction at the site of its second Kumamoto fab has resumed.

Coretronic reports first-half loss as margins weaken and demand stays uneven

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:48:14 GMT

Coretronic said its first-half 2026 performance turned negative as margin pressure and weaker profitability offset a second-quarter revenue recovery. The Taiwanese electronics maker said it would respond cautiously to market changes while focusing on its core businesses, product mix, market position, and technology development.

Inventec plans NT$18.128 billion capacity expansion in Taiwan, Thailand, Texas

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:43:12 GMT

Inventec said it would expand manufacturing capacity in Taiwan, Thailand, and the US with total spending of NT$18.128 billion. The ODM maker outlined new plants, facility upgrades, and related investments aimed at supporting ongoing production growth and future customer orders.

Taiwan sets non-China supply chain as key requirement for Presidential Cup Drone Competition

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:32 GMT

Taiwan's Office of the President announced the rules for the Presidential Cup 2026 Drone Competition on July 28, aiming to cultivate talent in technology applications, encourage industry investment in research and development, promote industrial upgrading, and support Taiwan's economic development.

Coretronic Intelligent Logistics plans AI logistics demo at AI Wave Show 2026

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:22 GMT

Coretronic Intelligent Logistics said generative AI and agentic AI technology are pushing smart logistics beyond process automation and toward autonomous decision-making. The company said it will present next-generation industrial AI applications under the theme "AI-driven smart logistics and manufacturing automation" at AI Wave Show 2026.

Faraday lifts revenue on ASIC and MCU demand as AI delays push projects back

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:13 GMT

Faraday Technology reported stronger-than-expected second quarter 2026 results, with consolidated revenue rising to NT$3.31 billion and net profit reaching NT$200 million. The ASIC design services and silicon IP provider said the improvement came from higher volume production in ASIC and microcontroller (MCU) businesses, along with continued growth in intellectual property licensing.