DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Commentary: Intel names TSMC as key partner; insider drives its comeback

Levi Li — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:58:39 GMT

One year into his tenure, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan struck a markedly different tone on the company's outlook. At the first-quarter 2026 earnings call, he said the debate a year ago centred on whether Intel could survive. Today, the focus has shifted to how quickly it can expand capacity and scale its supply chain to meet surging demand.

Taiwan moves to close the gap on semiconductor equipment self-sufficiency

Rodney Chan — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:57:23 GMT

Taiwan's government is advancing its Five Trusted Industry Sectors program, which identifies semiconductors, AI, defense, security, and next-generation communications as the country's core growth drivers. The push for self-sufficiency in semiconductor materials and equipment has already generated NT$22 billion (US$696.92 million) in new output in 2025, with some of the machinery reportedly shipped to China.

Realtek sees PC revenue growth despite 2026 shipment decline

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:48:54 GMT

Realtek's projection of a sharp fall in full-year 2026 PC shipments amid tight memory supply signals wider device-market shifts: global brands are prioritizing mid- and high-end models and premium components, boosting demand for higher-content semiconductors as unit volumes fall, with implications for laptop pricing, vendor strategies, and component suppliers worldwide.

TSMC’s 3nm crunch will keep Apple Mac supply constrained until 2nm ramps up

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:32:05 GMT

Supply-chain participants said Apple's fiscal second-quarter 2026 performance should be read less as a demand story and more as a reflection of persistent constraints in advanced semiconductor capacity, particularly at leading-edge process nodes.

Foxconn shoots for the stars — and Starlink's playbook

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:28:19 GMT

Foxconn's Hon Hai Research Institute has launched its second-generation low-Earth-orbit satellites, PEARL-1A and PEARL-1B, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission has entered an on-orbit validation phase as part of a satellite networking strategy.

Tata Electronics' rumored workforce expansion to 75,000 underscores rapid rise in Apple's supply chain

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:25:45 GMT

Tata Electronics has rapidly expanded its electronics manufacturing operations, emerging as one of Apple's most important contract manufacturers in India as the country strengthens its position in global electronics production.

MediaTek targets US$2B ASIC sales as cloud rivals chase custom-chip capacity

Sherri Wang — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:20:50 GMT

MediaTek has doubled its 2026 revenue target for its application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) business to US$2 billion, up from US$1 billion, as demand for custom chips continues to strengthen.

China curbs memory speculation; DDR4 spot slides, contract prices surge

Levi Li — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:16:37 GMT

Spot memory prices surged in early 2026, triggering stockpiling and speculative buying across distribution channels, before reversing from a March peak. DDR4 DRAM spot prices have since corrected by more than 20% quarter-over-quarter, yet lower prices have failed to revive demand. With holidays approaching, buyers remain on the sidelines, while contract memory prices continue to climb.

Asia Optical 1Q26 revenue, profit hit record highs on AI cooling and optics growth

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 4 May 2026 01:59:36 GMT

Asia Optical reported its first-quarter 2026 financial results, posting consolidated revenue of NT$6.21 billion (approx. US$196.43 million), up 15% year-over-year. Gross profit rose 16% from a year earlier to NT$1.07 billion, while operating income increased 58% from the first quarter of 2025 to NT$482 million, marking record highs for all three for the same period.

United Integrated Services targets NT$100 billion revenue in 2026 as TSMC and Micron drive fab demand

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 01:55:14 GMT

United Integrated Services reported a record net profit of NT$9.069 billion (US$287 million) for 2025 and posted NT$20.288 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, increases of 46.5% year-on-year and 76.15% year-on-year, respectively, the firm announced. The engineering and cleanroom contractor said it holds nearly NT$150 billion in orders and aims to reach NT$100 billion in annual revenue in 2026, while comfortably exceeding NT$10 billion in after-tax net profit, positioning itself as a leading profitable player in factory engineering services.

L&T Semiconductor Technologies joins imec automotive chiplet program, aiming to shape global vehicle electronics

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 01:49:25 GMT

Larsen & Toubro's semiconductor unit, L&T Semiconductor Technologies, has joined imec's Automotive chiplet Program. The participation is expected to drive collaboration on packaging, die-to-die links, diagnostics, and lifecycle management, and to help shape standards for next-generation software-defined, energy-efficient vehicles worldwide.

Realtek posts surge in revenue as Wi-Fi 7 adoption accelerates

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 01:00:07 GMT

Realtek reported first-quarter results on April 30, saying revenue rose to NT$36.42 billion (US$1.15 billion), driven by early customer pull-in orders that boosted demand into the second quarter, while warning of higher order uncertainty in the second half of the year. Executives said the company saw sequential margin improvement but flagged potential cost pressures from memory price moves and packaging constraints that could affect profitability going forward.

Delta Electronics posts record first-quarter revenue and margins as AI data center demand rises

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:58:03 GMT

Delta Electronics reported record consolidated revenue and profit in the first quarter, driven by stronger demand from cloud service providers and AI-related data center projects. The firm disclosed quarterly revenue of NT$159.4 billion (US$5.05 billion) in the first quarter, up 34% year-over-year, and record gross and operating margins of 37% and 17.8%, respectively, attributing the gains to a higher mix of AI products, scale effects, and a one-time compensation payment related to certain electric vehicle projects.

China's auto sector pushes standards and exports while disposable-car concept gains traction

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:54:02 GMT

The 2026 Beijing Auto Show signaled a significant shift in China's new energy vehicle sector as automakers accelerated adoption of ultra-fast charging, intelligent powertrains, and embodied AI as standard features, and promoted faster moves toward higher-level autonomous driving, according to a J.P. Morgan research note and supply-chain sources. The show, held in Beijing in 2026, highlighted how scale, speed, and globalization have become central to domestic strategy and are shaping product, sales, and export priorities.

SEMICON SEA 2026 highlights Malaysia's push to scale semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:51:48 GMT

SEMICON SEA 2026 convened from May 5 to 7 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center in Kuala Lumpur to showcase Malaysia's expanding role in the global semiconductor supply chain amid surging demand for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Organizers presented the event under the theme "Transform Tomorrow" and framed the conference as a platform for industry decision-makers, multinational firms, and innovators to explore capacity, talent, and sustainability challenges.

Croma ATE posts record 1Q26 revenue and profit as AI server demand lifts SLT and photonics orders

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:44:56 GMT

Croma ATE reported record first-quarter 2026 revenue and profits after customers booked full-year capacity, driven by soaring demand for AI server power supplies, the company announced. The electronic measurement and testing equipment maker said the strength in orders came despite the typical seasonal slowdown and that growth was expected to continue in the coming quarters.

US Space Force finishes GPS III launches and pivots to GPS IIIF rollout

AI bot — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:40:03 GMT

The US Space Force completed the deployment of the GPS III generation on April 21 with the launch of the final GPS III satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, and announced a transition to the next-generation GPS IIIF program for enhanced resilience and capability. The satellite, GPS III-8, was launched after the mission was reassigned from one provider to another following recent booster issues, demonstrating flexibility in national security launch planning.

SPIL buys multiple Nanke plants to boost advanced packaging capacity for AI demand

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:27:08 GMT

Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd. (SPIL), a subsidiary of ASE Technology Holding, acquired two Nanke-area plants in 2026 from HannStar Display and its affiliate HannsTouch Technology as part of a broader push to expand advanced packaging capacity for artificial intelligence workloads.

Foxconn says Tucheng probe limited to employees and does not affect operations

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:24:33 GMT

Foxconn announced that a recent search at its Tucheng facility was focused on alleged misconduct by certain employees and did not have a material impact on the company's finances, order intake, shipments, or customer relationships.

China automakers adopt disposable-car subscriptions to accelerate tech turnover

DIGITIMES — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:22:27 GMT

China's auto industry has begun rolling out a disposable-car model combining subscription plans and modular hardware to accelerate technology refresh cycles and cut the buildup of older vehicles, according to supply-chain observations and foreign media reporting from the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.

Research Insight: Beijing auto show signals shift from vehicle launches to AI-driven supply chains

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:14:57 GMT

The 2026 Beijing Auto Show has emerged as a platform where the balance of competition is shifting from sheer vehicle counts to advanced self-driving systems, AI-powered cockpits, and integrated supply chain collaborations, DIGITIMES Research observed. The event showcased both domestic and foreign manufacturers alongside key automotive intelligence suppliers.

BenQ Materials unit Cenefom enters memory supply chain with CMP brush wheels

Sherri Wang — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:14:48 GMT

BenQ Materials is accelerating its expansion into semiconductor materials as its subsidiary Cenefom officially begins operations at its new Guangyuan plant. The facility's chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) brush wheels have entered the Taiwan supply chain of a major memory manufacturer.

MIT Technology Review outlines 10 key AI trends shaping the future

Willis Ke — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:14:29 GMT

In the fast-moving and often noisy world of AI, what truly merits attention? MIT Technology Review has long tracked the field's evolution to map its next directions. Their latest annual insight highlights 10 key themes that capture major AI trends, breakthroughs, and shifts in power dynamics driving innovation today and shaping tomorrow's possibilities.

ESMC confirmed to be on schedule — and sets its sights on AI

Kevin Wang — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:58 GMT

The European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), a joint venture among TSMC, Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors, is set to begin initial production in 2027. On April 29, the German Trade Office Taipei confirmed that construction is progressing as scheduled and expressed confidence in the timely delivery of the first batch of chips.

Holtek raises low-margin MCU prices, expands AI server cooling and optical comms

Charlene Chen — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:42 GMT

Microcontroller (MCU) maker Holtek announced it has raised prices on low-margin MCUs following wafer foundry and packaging cost hikes in China at the end of 2025. This price adjustment has since driven order inflows for touch MCUs and other products. Holtek expects strong growth momentum in the security and health segments in the first half of 2026, with some orders already visible up to six months ahead. The company is also advancing the development of brushless DC motor (BLDC) products and external laser optical communication modules targeting AI servers.

India roundup: India accelerates AI, semiconductor, and manufacturing push with major investments and startup bets

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:18 GMT

India's technology ecosystem is seeing rapid expansion across AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and electronics manufacturing. From startup bets on AI inference to multi-billion-dollar data center plans and OSAT capacity buildouts, global and domestic players are deepening commitments. The momentum underscores India's rising role in supply chains and compute-driven industries.

AI chip demand ignites embedded substrate race among Samsung, Ibiden, Unimicron

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:04 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) has moved early to commercialize embedded semiconductor substrates, but the window is rapidly closing as Japan's Ibiden and Taiwan's Unimicron prepare to enter the field, setting up a new competitive front in advanced packaging.

AI data center demand boosts IDM growth in industrial market

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:12:40 GMT

Recovery in the industrial chip market, driven by AI data center demand, is poised to reshape manufacturers and supply chains worldwide, as Texas Instruments and NXP Semiconductors report stronger performance in their industrial segments. Improved demand visibility and projected growth through 2026 could influence component sourcing, pricing, and investment strategies for technology stakeholders.

Taiwan-Europe cooperation aims to accelerate counter-drone integration among democratic allies

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:12:20 GMT

Amid shifting geopolitics, collaboration between Europe's electronic warfare expertise and Taiwan's leading supply chain capabilities could materially change how democratic allies counter unmanned threats. Accelerated cooperation on counter-drone system integration promises shorter supply chains, faster deployment, and improved resilience, with implications for defense procurement, interoperability, and deterrence strategies worldwide.

China AI chip designer VeriSilicon books US$1.1bn orders, revenue doubles

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 20:14:00 GMT

China-based chip design service provider VeriSilicon Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. is seeing a sharp acceleration in AI-driven demand, with record orders and surging revenue in the first quarter of 2026 — even as heavy R&D spending continues to weigh on profitability.

Coretronic swings to loss in 1Q26, flags 2Q pressure before seasonal rebound

Levi Li — Sun, 3 May 2026 20:13:00 GMT

Taiwan backlight module maker Coretronic swung to a first-quarter loss and warned of continued pressure in the second quarter, with currency swings, geopolitical risks, raw material costs, and soft demand clouding visibility. A recovery is expected only in the second half, when peak season demand returns.

Zhen Ding expands NTHU partnership with new five-year research program

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 19:13:00 GMT

PCB maker Zhen Ding Technology has launched the second phase of its joint research center with National Tsing Hua University, aiming to deepen collaboration on advanced PCB and IC substrate technologies, smart manufacturing, and talent development.

Foxconn launches second-gen LEO satellites, tests inter-satellite links

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 09:54:08 GMT

Foxconn's two second-generation low-earth orbit satellites — PEARL-1A and PEARL-1B — launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 3, riding as part of a CAS500-2 rideshare mission. The satellites are designed for a five-year orbital mission.

Taiwan's Hsin-li Chemical to acquire up to 30% of golf equipment distributor Dacome in tender offer

Elaine Chen — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:34:41 GMT

Hsin-li Chemical, a subsidiary of Taiwan's Sun Yad Group, said it plans to launch an over-the-counter tender offer for shares of Dacome, a leading golf equipment distribution company, in a move aimed at expanding its diversified investment portfolio.

Profile: MIT physicist Yichen Shen leads photonics chipmaker to Hong Kong IPO

Levi Li — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:34:13 GMT

On the morning of April 28, 2026, 37-year-old Yichen Shen stood at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, striking the IPO gong with a wooden mallet.