DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

China high-end AI accelerator market 2026: Localization trends, competitive landscape, and supply chain constraints

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:03:11 GMT

Government policies drive China's chip autonomy; 2026 Chinese cloud AI accelerator shipments to top 2.12 million units, with Huawei taking over 50%.

Nvidia signs record Bengaluru office lease as India AI push accelerates

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:42:02 GMT

Nvidia has signed a 10-year lease for approximately 760,000 square feet of office space in Bengaluru, marking the largest single-tenant office commitment in India to date. The space, located at Bagmane Capital's Memphis South Tower in Mahadevpura, spans 12 floors and will serve as a major hub for the company's expanding artificial intelligence (AI) and engineering operations.

Nanya breaks into Nvidia's AI memory ecosystem with LPDDR

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:35:12 GMT

Nvidia's next-generation AI platform Vera Rubin is approaching mass production, with a key architectural shift favoring low-power DRAM. Sources familiar with the matter say Nanya Technology has secured a supply chain position through LPDDR products, supported by an advanced packaging collaboration with TSMC. The move marks the first entry by a Taiwanese memory maker into Nvidia's AI server primary memory ecosystem.

Acer's 50th anniversary focuses on talent cultivation in Taiwan

Lily Hess — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:20:19 GMT

Acer is celebrating its 50th anniversary, having started in 1976 with a total capital of NT$1 million (US$31,800 in today's value). As of April 27, 2026, the broader Acer Group family includes 43 publicly listed companies. Founder Stan Shih emphasized that Acer's greatest contribution lies in nurturing talent for Taiwan, which he said has created intangible and long-lasting value.

Taiwan's 2026 exports set to top US$800 billion as AI fuels electronics surge

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:15:48 GMT

Taiwan's exports were forecast to surpass US$800 billion in 2026, driven by strong demand for electronic components and information and audiovisual products tied to artificial intelligence, according to China Credit Information Service. The projection followed a record first quarter when exports reached US$195.74 billion, marking the highest quarterly total on record and a 51.1% year-over-year increase.

ASE signs cybersecurity MOU with national institute to shore up semiconductor defenses

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:13:10 GMT

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and the National Institute of Cyber Security signed a memorandum of understanding on April 28 to establish a joint cyber defense, intelligence sharing, and cooperation framework aimed at countering complex global cyber threats. The agreement will integrate technical resources and real-time threat intelligence to strengthen industry-wide defenses for the semiconductor sector, with an emphasis on protecting smart manufacturing and core corporate assets in Kaohsiung.

Amkor records strong 1Q26, advanced packaging expected to triple YoY

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:01:50 GMT

Amkor Technology is off to a record start in 2026. First-quarter revenue hit US$1.68 billion, up 27% from the prior year, driven by record performance in AI data center applications and a fourth consecutive quarter of growth in automotive and industrial segments. Earnings per diluted share came in at US$0.33, beating analyst expectations on the back of a favorable product mix and disciplined cost management. The company's strategy is firmly anchored in high-value advanced packaging for AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC). CEO Kevin Engel noted that several High-Density Fan-Out (HDFO) programs are underway, with a new data center CPU device beginning its ramp this quarter.

Commentary: Honor retools for humanoid robotics, rewrites AI device playbook

Levi Li — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:01:05 GMT

Honor's surprise win at this year's Beijing humanoid robot half-marathon has stirred industry debate, not only for its on-track performance but for what the move signals about shifting competitive dynamics. The smartphone maker's cross-sector push into robotics has reignited questions over whether embodied AI and humanoid systems could trigger a new round of market reshuffling.

DeepSeek lifts capital by 50%, founder secures veto stake ahead of funding round

Levi Li — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:55:45 GMT

After upgrading its DeepSeek-V4 model, Hangzhou-based AI firm DeepSeek revealed a major ownership shift. Filings on the Chinese registry platform Qichacha show registered capital rising 50% from CNY10 million (approx. US$1.4 million) to CNY15 million.

Meta bets on orbit-to-grid solar to power AI infrastructure around the clock

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:52:29 GMT

Meta announced partnerships with Overview Energy and Noon Energy to develop space-based solar collection and ultra‑long‑duration energy storage, aiming to support its data centers and AI infrastructure. These projects could extend renewable generation and store clean power for days, with implications for grid reliability and how organizations use energy worldwide.

Microsoft's cloud strategy tightens AI compute supply

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:51:12 GMT

Across the AI sector, start-ups are struggling to secure the graphics processing units (GPUs) needed to train and run their models. Supplies of Nvidia chips are increasingly being diverted by cloud giants like Microsoft to their own internal teams and largest customers, leaving smaller firms competing for what remains — often at sharply higher prices.

Empyrean draws retail inflows while profit falls, testing China EDA valuations

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:44:56 GMT

China's domestic EDA software developer Empyrean Technology is attracting a growing base of retail investors even as its earnings weaken, underscoring a widening gap between market enthusiasm for semiconductor design tools and near-term profitability.

Macronix returns to profit in 1Q26, citing tighter supply and higher memory prices

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:42:40 GMT

Macronix's return to profitability in the first quarter of 2026 signals supply constraints and stronger memory pricing, with implications for global flash markets and customer supply chains. The Taiwan-based memory maker reported wider margins, robust NAND growth, and reduced inventories, suggesting that tighter industry supply and higher ASPs could significantly reshape pricing and sourcing worldwide.

Indian startup targets AI inference opportunity with full-stack compute platform

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:37:46 GMT

While global AI infrastructure investment remains concentrated around massive GPU clusters for training frontier models, Indian startup Turiyam.ai is betting on a different commercial reality: the dominance of inference.

LG reportedly plans to expand its India manufacturing footprint

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:59:54 GMT

New Daily reports that LG Electronics has decided to expand its manufacturing footprint in India, with a major investment of about KRW1.4 trillion (approximately US$1.0 billion) to upgrade its home appliance production facility in Greater Noida. The move comes as LG Group Chair Koo Kwang-mo participates in a presidential economic delegation visiting India and Vietnam, underscoring the strategic importance of the investment timing.

Wistron's InnoSky Apex merges with GEOSAT Aerospace to expand drone operations

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:51:15 GMT

Wistron Group announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, InnoSky Apex, will absorb and merge with GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology. Wistron invested in GEOSAT Aerospace in 2024, acquiring a 45% stake and securing four board seats.

Restocking, cost pass-through lift Eternal Materials to 1Q26 profit gains

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:50:57 GMT

Eternal Materials's stronger March and first-quarter 2026 results signal resilience across global supply chains of synthetic resins and electronic materials. Rising sales, steady margins, and effective cost pass-through have eased concerns about Middle East uncertainty and raw material availability, while shipment growth and niche product gains point to expanding momentum.

Agentic AI sparks CPU demand surge, boosting ASIC and niche chip makers

Charlene Chen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:49:23 GMT

The rise of agentic AI has transformed computing chip requirements, igniting a fierce CPU supply scramble. Traditional x86 giants like Intel and AMD are seeing growing CPU demand in cloud AI, while application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) vendors stand to benefit significantly.

Chinese automakers use supply chain shifts to bypass US trade barriers

Kevin Wang — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:48:23 GMT

Faced with escalating trade barriers from the US, Chinese automakers are adopting a "buffer route" strategy by using Canada and Mexico as transit points to enter the US market, while also evolving their approach from simply exporting fully assembled vehicles to embedding themselves into complex global supply chains. By deepening their integration from pure manufacturing into technical standards, Chinese automakers are now venturing beyond market expansion, as they compete for leadership and dominance in both manufacturing and technology.

Celestica reports strong 1Q26 as cloud demand lifts results

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:40:50 GMT

Celestica reported a strong start to 2026, underscoring the growing demand for data center hardware as cloud spending accelerates.

US and China auto markets face diverging pressures

Elaine Chen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:39:24 GMT

The world's two largest auto markets, the US and China, now resemble opposite ends of a scale, each confronting a distinct set of structural strains. In the US, policy uncertainty is forcing carmakers into repeated strategic recalibrations. In China, by contrast, overcapacity and relentless competition are squeezing margins. Together, these pressures are reshaping how capital is allocated and how market share is contested, testing both the financial resilience and strategic discipline of global automakers.

Analysis: Why Tokyo Electron's China problem goes deeper than a data breach

Emily Kuo — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:26:15 GMT

Amid growing geopolitical tensions over the global semiconductor supply chain, what initially appeared to be an internal personnel matter is evolving into a broader case study of the operational risks that foreign equipment vendors face in China.

Samsung fast-tracks Pyeongtaek fabs to turn HBM4 edge into AI memory scale

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:22:29 GMT

Samsung is accelerating one of its most aggressive memory capacity buildouts in years, aiming to bring its Pyeongtaek Line 4 fab, or P4, into full operation by the end of 2026 as the AI server boom reshapes demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM.

Chinese GPU maker Lisuan secures Microsoft WHQL certification for 6nm chip

Levi Li — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:12:01 GMT

China-based GPU designer Lisuan Tech has secured Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certification from Microsoft, becoming the first Chinese company and the fourth globally to receive official GPU compatibility endorsement.

Nvidia says GPU allocation follows first-come, first-served principle, not highest bidder

Charlene Chen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:02:58 GMT

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang clarified in an April 2026 interview with Silicon Valley podcast host Dwarkesh Patel that the company allocates GPUs based on a first-come, first-served principle rather than a highest bidder wins approach.

US chip packaging capacity to hit 10% by 2032

Charlene Chen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:02:07 GMT

The Trump administration continues to push for reshoring the semiconductor industry to the US. As global foundry giants TSMC, Intel, and Samsung Electronics expand advanced manufacturing capacities stateside, strengthening local OSAT capabilities is seen as the "last mile" in building a domestic supply chain.

Intel prioritizes Xeon; CPU shortage opens door for AMD and MediaTek

Levi Li — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:37:34 GMT

Generative AI has driven a surge in GPU demand and accelerated a structural reshaping of the semiconductor industry. At the same time, CPUs are re-emerging after years of being sidelined, with demand rising sharply and pushing Intel into a rare supply shortage. Intel executives said demand is far exceeding supply, with capacity constraints costing billions of dollars in lost revenue.

Chinese EVs undercut global rivals by half, siren alarm in South Korea and beyond

Elaine Chen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:06:10 GMT

China's auto industry is expanding at a striking pace, powered by electric vehicles and a surge in exports that is reshaping the global market order. Analysts in South Korea warn that China's rapid gains in price competitiveness and technological capability now pose an existential challenge to major automotive nations, including their own.

OpenAI eyes agentic AI phone but faces challenges beyond chip design

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:03:18 GMT

OpenAI's agentic AI phone could reshape mobile markets and supply chains by forcing incumbents to respond. Still, success depends on delivering both interface breakthroughs and competitive cost-performance for mainstream buyers and attracting users.

Wuhan unveils US$38 billion plan; YMTC and XMC lead memory expansion

Levi Li — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:51:00 GMT

China's central tech hub Wuhan has unveiled its 2026 major project plan, targeting 355 city-level projects with total investment exceeding CNY260 billion (approx. US$38.1 billion).

New flagship launches expected to narrow Taiwan phone shipment decline in the second quarter

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:48:31 GMT

The Taiwan smartphone market showed resilience after the Lunar New Year peak as manufacturers introduced multiple new flagship models, and industry sources said the launches should help narrow a forecasted decline in the second quarter. Mobile channel operators reported that Taiwan's phone shipments reached nearly 418,000 units in March 2026, down about 1% from February's 420,000 units, while revenue rose nearly 1% as premium device sales increased.

Rising component costs push Chinese phone makers to speed product cycles and favor high-end models

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:36:44 GMT

Chinese smartphone manufacturers accelerated product cycles in response to rising upstream component costs and weak sales, as memory price increases in 2026 squeezed margins and prompted firms to shift focus to higher-margin models. According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, March 2026 shipments in China totaled 21.15 million units, down 7.1% year-over-year, while 5G phone shipments reached 19.67 million units, a 1.3% increase and 93% of total shipments.

Emerging supplier targets low-earth orbit satellite market with cryogenic high-frequency cables

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:32:37 GMT

An electronics components firm, U-leam, founded in September 2022, said it is targeting the low-earth orbit satellite market by supplying high-frequency connectors, cable assemblies, and battery modules designed for extreme environments. The company stated it has secured long-term supply partnerships with major international satellite manufacturers and is developing cryogenic cable technology for quantum computing as it expands into aerospace, industrial, medical, and automotive electronics.

Cadence signals strong start to 2026 as AI drives growth across EDA and IP

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:20:25 GMT

Cadence Design Systems reported a robust first quarter for 2026, underscoring how accelerating demand for AI is reshaping semiconductor design and expanding the role of electronic design automation (EDA) tools.

Taiwan payment firm targets small merchants to push non-cash transactions past NT$10 trillion

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:19:23 GMT

Systex Fintech said it will focus on onboarding small merchants who currently transact in cash to help drive the island's non-cash transaction value from NT$6 trillion in 2023 toward the Financial Supervisory Commission's NT$10 trillion (US$190.4 billion) goal by 2026. The company stated that the strategy centers on expanding acceptance among roughly 1.3 million corporate accounts, including more than 500,000 small businesses and cash-based street vendors that do not issue invoices, which it described as a blue ocean for growth.

End of exclusivity becomes industry norm as OpenAI-Microsoft reset signals broader AI shift

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:10:20 GMT

OpenAI and Microsoft have agreed to end one of the AI industry's most prominent exclusive partnerships, underscoring a wider shift toward multi-cloud deployment and cross-platform collaboration. The amended agreement, announced April 27, allows OpenAI to distribute its models across any cloud provider while maintaining Microsoft as its primary partner.

Why Big AI is hiring philosophers to tackle the ethics gap and how the approaches differ

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:05:00 GMT

Google DeepMind and Anthropic are increasingly recruiting philosophers to address the ethical and societal questions posed by advanced artificial intelligence, while OpenAI continues to treat safety largely as an engineering challenge without dedicated philosopher roles. The hires reflect diverging views within the industry about whether AI requires distinct governance and moral expertise.

China blocks Meta-Manus deal, signaling tougher stance as unwinding poses complex fallout

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:58:30 GMT

China's decision to block and unwind Meta Platforms' acquisition of AI startup Manus is reverberating across the global technology sector, highlighting Beijing's increasingly assertive approach to controlling strategic technologies and cross-border deals.

Radiant Opto-Electronics delays optical communications push by 2–3 years

Sherri Wang — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:45:00 GMT

Radiant Opto-Electronics will wait two to three years before accelerating investment in optical communications and co-packaged optics (CPO), as uncertainties around industry structure and business models persist, chairman Justin Wang said.

Strong demand and advanced packaging execution drive Amkor's upbeat quarter

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:40:10 GMT

Amkor Technology reported a strong start to 2026, with management attributing the performance to robust demand across multiple end markets and continued execution in advanced packaging.

Kakao Mobility launches Level 4 robotaxi, scales AI mobility platform

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:35:00 GMT

South Korea's leading mobility platform, Kakao Mobility is accelerating the commercial rollout of Level 4 autonomous driving, placing artificial intelligence at the center of a "physical AI" strategy that spans vehicles, robotics, and platform infrastructure.

AI-driven demand and record backlog fuel Cadence's strong start to 2026

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:32:12 GMT

Cadence Design Systems reported a solid first quarter for 2026, with growth driven by accelerating AI demand and sustained customer investment in chip and system design tools.

TSMC 2nm leak case results in NT$150M fine for TEL; company says no confidential data was leaked and discussions are underway

Charlene Chen — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:33:31 GMT

In the trade secret leak case involving TSMC's 2nm process, the Intellectual Property and Commercial Court ruled on April 27, 2026, that Tokyo Electron (TEL), the equipment supplier involved, must pay a fine of NT$150 million (US$4.8 million), marking the first penalty imposed on a legal entity under the National Security Act.

Why the AI boom still runs through Taiwan — and why that won't change

Kevin Wang — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:30:29 GMT

As trade tensions simmer and geopolitical flashpoints multiply, Taiwan's technology sector is holding firm. Anchored by surging AI infrastructure demand and a pivotal shift in how its chips reach the world, the island's economy is on track for its strongest growth in years — and industry experts say the fundamentals have rarely looked more solid.

Commentary: What Amap reveals about AI navigation, data control

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:30:15 GMT

AI-powered navigation platforms such as China's Amap are forcing a rethink of how convenience, competition, and data governance intersect. The debate in Taiwan over Amap's near-real-time traffic light countdown and high-precision navigation reflects a broader shift in how mobility data is collected, processed, and monetized.

DeepSeek V4 fails to close gap as US-China AI divide persists amid chip constraints

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

DeepSeek's latest flagship model, V4, has renewed debate over the trajectory of the US-China AI race, with analysts and industry voices suggesting that China's progress in model efficiency is not translating into a meaningful reduction in capability gaps with leading US systems.

AI chip testing complexity lifts probe card and upstream supply chain demand

Levi Li — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:29:45 GMT

As AI chips move to advanced process nodes and packaging technologies, semiconductor testing requirements are becoming significantly more complex.

AetherAI wins FDA and IVDR nods for digital pathology platform as it eyes global expansion

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:29:26 GMT

Amid rising global cancer rates and a shortage of pathology staff, Taiwan-based AetherAI says its FDA- and IVDR-certified digital pathology platform could ease diagnostic bottlenecks worldwide by enabling integrated AI tools and automated workflows, potentially accelerating access to faster, scalable cancer diagnostics across hospitals, healthcare systems, and clinics globally.

Alphabet's US$40bn Anthropic stake heats up AI cloud and compute race

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:29:10 GMT

Alphabet's decision to invest up to US$40 billion in Anthropic marks a defining shift in the artificial intelligence race: control over computing infrastructure is becoming as critical as model development itself.

Taiwan's Tmytek targets profitability with push into satellite communications

Elaine Chen — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:28:36 GMT

TMY Technology, a maker of millimeter-wave (mmWave) phased-array solutions, is reshaping its business as it pushes beyond its traditional reliance on test and measurement equipment, betting on satellites, defense, and next-generation communications to drive growth and a potential return to profitability as early as 2027.

GrandTech drives growth with AI cloud and 3D printing for drone market

Charlene Chen — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:28:13 GMT

GrandTech Chairman Frankie Hsu highlighted the company's successful transformation from a software agency to a dual-engine growth model, powered by its investment in GrandTech Cloud Services (GCS) and its 3D printing business. The former capitalizes on the booming cloud and AI wave, while the latter taps into expanding drone opportunities, providing strong and sustainable momentum.

Apple and Asus defy PC market slump with growth in 2026

Charlene Chen — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:27:58 GMT

The global PC industry faces a harsh downturn in 2026, with shipments expected to decline by up to 15% amid soaring DRAM and NAND prices, supply shortages, and CPU delivery issues. Despite this bleak outlook, Apple and Asus are bucking the trend, maintaining annual notebook shipment growth targets.

AI lifts memory: SK Hynix hits 72% margin as Samsung nears 70%

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:25:03 GMT

SK Hynix reported record results for the first quarter of 2026, with operating margin reaching about 72% — among the highest globally — as artificial intelligence (AI)-driven demand lifted memory pricing, according to company disclosures and Korean media reports.

Moore Threads hits first profit, AI compute orders drive growth

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:24:35 GMT

China's domestic GPU developer Moore Threads is shifting from heavy R&D spending to early monetisation, delivering triple-digit revenue growth in 2025 and its first quarterly profit in early 2026, driven by rising AI compute demand.

LG Display posts strongest 1Q26 profit in five years, signals end to job cuts

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:24:08 GMT

LG Display reported its strongest first-quarter operating profit in half a decade and signaled an end to years of workforce restructuring, as it continues to shift toward high-end OLED panels.

Commentary: Tim Cook's sole omission during 15-year tenor

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:23:51 GMT

On December 6, 2022, Tim Cook stood on a construction site in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside President Biden, TSMC founder Morris Chang, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. It was the tool-in ceremony for TSMC's first Arizona fab, a moment that crystallized how central Taiwan's semiconductor industry had become to American technology ambitions. For Cook, it was also the closest he ever got to TSMC's leadership in 15 years as Apple's CEO.

What Nvidia and Broadcom's CPO bets reveal about the future of AI infrastructure

DIGITIMES — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:01:17 GMT

The CPO market is projected to grow sharply by a 142% CAGR from 2026 to 2030 (excl. ELS) and as AI clusters scale and 3.2T data rates push copper to its limits, CPO is emerging as the new star.

NVIDIA and Broadcom both started deploying CPO in swit