DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Intel expands foundry push with Samsung executive hire

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:59:55 GMT

Intel, which is working to scale its outsourced chip manufacturing business, has hired Samsung Electronics executive Shawn Han to strengthen its foundry operations and customer engagement strategy, according to reporting from Bloomberg and Oregon Live.

Analysis: ASML lifts 2026 guidance on strong EUV demand

Sherri Wang — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:57:44 GMT

ASML delivered first-quarter 2026 results that exceeded expectations, prompting management to raise its full-year guidance despite a cautious outlook for the second quarter. The company announced plans to expand its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) manufacturing capacity to meet strong demand expected in 2027. The updated outlook suggests stronger momentum in the second half of 2026.

ASML extends Low NA EUV to 2031, ramps up High NA production

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:33:02 GMT

ASML's confirmation that memory-chip demand underpinned its stronger-than-expected results for the first quarter of 2026 — along with its updated EUV roadmaps — has broad implications for global chip supply and manufacturing capacity.

China automotive AI chipmaker Horizon Robotics targets EV cost cuts with integrated chip

Levi Li — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:28:00 GMT

Rising DDR memory prices are increasing cost pressure across automotive electronics, pushing China-based automotive AI chipmaker Horizon Robotics to introduce an integrated chip architecture aimed at reducing system complexity and bill-of-materials costs.

Japan backs Sony image sensor expansion with up to US$380 million subsidy

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:15:01 GMT

Japan has announced government support for Sony's image sensor expansion project in Kumamoto, underscoring the strategic importance of semiconductor supply chains for artificial intelligence (AI) and automotive applications.

Tongfu Microelectronics profit jumps on AI chip packaging, AMD demand

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:51:53 GMT

Tongfu Microelectronics posted strong 2025 results, supported by AI and automotive chip demand, while reinforcing its position in the global semiconductor packaging supply chain alongside key customer AMD.

Analysis: Intel, Musk advance TeraFab partnership, echoing Apple's TSMC shift

Sherri Wang — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:34:39 GMT

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has aligned his TeraFab megafab initiative with Intel, in a move that had been signaled in recent months.

EMS Watch: Lens Technology's earnings shock highlights strain across Apple supply chain

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:24:29 GMT

China's consumer electronics supply chain is facing mounting pressure, as Lens Technology posted a sharp earnings downturn that triggered a market sell-off and raised broader concerns about industry demand and cost dynamics.

Tesla AI5 reaches tape-out; SK Hynix memory spotted in early sample

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:19:29 GMT

Tesla has reached the tape-out stage for its next-generation AI chip, AI5, marking a milestone in its in-house semiconductor development and offering early signals on memory supplier positioning and demand for low-power DRAM.

Foxconn shifts US plant from simulation to operation with AI-driven factory setup

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:09:25 GMT

Foxconn's US AI factories could reshape global electronics supply chains by accelerating US-based AI server production and offering a replicable smart factory model for overseas sites. The company's digital twin and data-driven approach promise faster plant construction, higher yields, and improved equipment and energy efficiency worldwide.

Nio cuts Nvidia reliance with in-house chips, targets lower EV costs

Levi Li — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:56:21 GMT

Rising cost pressure is pushing China's smart EV makers to pivot from scale expansion to efficiency and cost discipline.

CPU shortage more acute than memory; industry awaits Intel 18A yield improvement

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:51:51 GMT

A global CPU shortage is disrupting PC and industrial-computing supply chains, as processors are out of stock even at premium prices, while memory is limited but purchasable. The scarcity threatens notebook and industrial PC availability worldwide and may persist for some time until Intel's 18A process yields improve, industry sources warn.

TSMC chairman C.C. Wei denies customer favoritism regarding tight 1Q26 capacity

Eifeh Strom — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:34:19 GMT

TSMC delivered an above-expectations financial performance in the first quarter of 2026 and remains optimistic about continued strong demand for advanced process technologies entering the second quarter. Regarding tight capacity constraints, Chairman C.C. Wei stated that while capacity remains tight, the company is actively expanding new fabs to meet demand. However, he noted that building new facilities takes time, so supply will remain limited in the short term. Still, the company will continue efforts to increase capacity to support customer demand and will not deliberately select or favor any particular customer.

Meta's Manus deal further exacerbates Chinese startups' exodus to Singapore and US

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:46:20 GMT

The US$2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus by Meta Platforms has sent shockwaves through the Chinese tech ecosystem, exposing the fragility of the "Singapore-washing" strategy that many founders once relied on to sidestep geopolitical crossfires. The deal, which was finalized in early 2026, triggered an aggressive response from Beijing, forcing a sweeping reallocation of resources among startups operating in the gray zone between Chinese origins and global ambitions.

Interview: Semidynamics expands from SoC to rack-level solutions, targeting memory-intensive AI inference

Emily Kuo — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:45:43 GMT

Spain-based AI chip startup Semidynamics has recently seen a wave of positive developments. Its first chip, fabricated on TSMC's 3nm process, has successfully completed tape-out, and just weeks ago, the company secured an investment commitment from SK Hynix. Both significantly enhance its operational credibility and global visibility. CEO Roger Espasa stated that the company's proprietary Gazzillion technology is a specialized memory subsystem designed to address one of AI's most pressing challenges today: inefficient memory utilization, which has led to persistent supply constraints.

Visionox starts 8.6G AMOLED tool install, pushes FMM-free OLED

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:45:24 GMT

China-based display maker Visionox is stepping up its push into next-generation AMOLED manufacturing, announcing on April 15 a key milestone at its 8.6-generation production line in Hefei. The first lithography system has been moved into the main cleanroom, marking a transition from construction to equipment installation and process integration, and laying the groundwork for initial panel output and mass production.

SK Hynix invests in RISC-V chip designer Semidynamics

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:44:52 GMT

SK Hynix has invested in Semidynamics, a Spanish fabless chip designer, as part of a push to expand its presence in the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor ecosystem.

Musk's foundry push forces chipmakers to rethink customer relationships

Elaine Chen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:44:00 GMT

Elon Musk has said that the computing demands of Tesla, xAI, and SpaceX will far exceed current semiconductor supply capacity, arguing that existing production can meet only a fraction of future needs.

Taiwan's TPK profit jumps more than 20-fold on investment gains and chip exposure

Elaine Chen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:43:22 GMT

TPK Holding reported a sharp rebound in profitability for the first quarter of 2026, driven by new semiconductor investments and favorable one-off gains.

With chip limits near, focus shifts to packaging and integration

Elaine Chen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:42:54 GMT

As the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) pushes semiconductor performance toward new limits, the industry is confronting a fundamental constraint: the slowing of Moore's Law. Increasingly, engineers are turning their attention not just to chip design, but to system integration and advanced packaging, areas now seen as critical to sustaining performance gains.

Taiwan paves the way for stablecoin adoption as landmark law advances amid global trends

Willis Ke — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:42:08 GMT

Taiwan is edging closer to a regulated stablecoin ecosystem, with policymakers signaling support for fiat-linked digital assets and advancing landmark legislation that could reshape the island's virtual asset industry.

EU Chips Act 2.0 expected by late May, with stronger domestic focus

Emily Kuo — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:41:47 GMT

Since early 2025, the European Union (EU) has been actively shaping its next-generation semiconductor strategy. Recent reports indicate that the EU Chips Act 2.0 is set to be officially announced on May 27. During the drafting process, the Catalonia regional government in Spain, along with industry stakeholders, has contributed several recommendations.

Taiwan and Japan solidify lead in transmission component market for humanoid robots

Kevin Wang — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:41:27 GMT

The rise of new hardware designs for humanoid robots has created fresh opportunities across the supply chain, with linear actuators — which act as the muscles of robots that mimic human anatomy — now becoming key components in this evolution. Amid the ongoing reshuffling in the transmission component supply chain, the consensus among industry players is that Taiwanese and Japanese manufacturers are unlikely to yield their longtime dominant position in the field.

J&V Energy Technology's Greenet to list on OTC in May 2026 as it pursues rapid capacity expansion

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:40:42 GMT

J&V Energy Technology's Greenet plans to list on the OTC market in May 2026 and is fully booked, signaling a rapid global push into green power as it seeks to scale to 800-850 MW by the end of 2026, secure long-term contracts, and compete in a future 40 billion kWh market.

TSMC hints at next-gen LPU bid, stokes speculation that Samsung's Groq order may not last

Joseph(C) Chen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:21:27 GMT

TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei disclosed at the company's first-quarter 2026 earnings call that the foundry is collaborating with a customer on next-generation LPU development —a remark that stopped short of naming Nvidia— but that supply chain observers widely read as signaling TSMC's intent to compete for the inference chip business currently manufactured by Samsung.

TSMC enters 2nm mass production, scales 3nm capacity

Sherri Wang — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:46:55 GMT

TSMC laid out its capacity expansion plans and advanced node progress at its first quarter 2026 earnings call. Chairman C.C. Wei reaffirmed Taiwan as the primary base for leading-edge production, citing close coordination with its research and development teams.

Thunder Tiger eyes LUCAS market with low-cost loitering drone

Sherri Wang — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:38:02 GMT

Taiwanese drone manufacturer Thunder Tiger Group is developing a domestic version of the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, or LUCAS, modeled on systems deployed by the US in recent conflicts, as it seeks to build a cost advantage through manufacturing scale.

Yageo posts 40% YoY profit rise in 1Q26, driven by AI demand, price hikes

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:34:29 GMT

Passive component manufacturer Yageo held its first-quarter 2026 online earnings call on April 15, reporting strong financial results. Company CEO David Wang said that robust demand from applications related to artificial intelligence (AI) boosted sales of both standard and specialty products. Combined with the gradual impact of price increases, this drove significant growth in revenue and profits for the quarter, exceeding previous projections.

China smartphone market shifts to premium, Huawei and Apple lead in 1Q26

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:33:30 GMT

China's smartphone market contracted in the first quarter of 2026, but stronger-than-expected demand for premium devices from Huawei and Apple helped cushion the decline and reshape industry priorities.

TSMC guides over 15% 2Q26 revenue growth, N3 margins set to top average

Levi Li — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:31:36 GMT

TSMC posted a record profit of NT$572.48 billion (US$18.06 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, marking another high in overall performance. For the second quarter of 2026, TSMC guided revenue between US$39 billion and US$42 billion, up 8.6% to 17% sequentially, or NT$1.236 trillion to NT$1.331 trillion at NT$31.7 per US dollar. Gross margin is forecast at 65.5%–67.5%, with operating margin at 56.5%–58.5%.

Taiwan analog IC firms show varied 1Q26 revenue; motor control and DDR5 PMIC drive growth

Charlene Chen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:28:11 GMT

Taiwanese analog IC companies have recently released their full revenue figures for the first quarter of 2026, revealing mixed performances. Firms with rapidly growing new businesses or market share generally posted strong quarterly results.

MCU demand pull-in lifts first-quarter sales, inflation risk clouds outlook

Levi Li — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:18:35 GMT

The traditional off-season for consumer electronics showed unexpected strength in the first quarter of 2026, with microcontroller (MCU) suppliers reporting a wave of early orders. Customers, facing rising costs and sharp increases in memory prices, have accelerated procurement due to concerns over future supply shortages. This front-loading of demand has effectively brought forward the peak season. Still, industry players caution that inflationary pressure linked to ongoing Middle East conflicts could weigh on end-market demand.

Global Expansion of 2.5D/3D Packaging: Strategic Moves in the US, Asia, and Beyond

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:17:48 GMT

Major OSAT providers accelerate 2.5D/3D advanced packaging deployments in US, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia with non-Taiwan capacity footprint to expand.

EZconn posts 200% profit surge in March as high-fiber count shipments boost growth

Charlene Chen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:12:52 GMT

Optical communication manufacturer EZconn announced a net profit after tax of NT$312 million (US$9.9 million) for March 2026, marking a 200% increase year on year and earnings per share (EPS) of NT$4.02. Including the previously reported January and February EPS of NT$2.3, the cumulative EPS for the first quarter of 2026 has reached NT$6.32.

China tightens rules against foreign supply chain decoupling

DIGITIMES — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:02:39 GMT

The Chinese government has introduced sweeping regulations that authorize investigations and penalties against foreign companies that decouple from China's supply chain. The new rules arrive as global supply chains face mounting geopolitical pressure and China's export surplus continues to grow.