DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Samsung is already shipping HBM4 for Vera Rubin — and is now negotiating HBM5 and next-gen foundry with Nvidia

Joseph(C) Chen — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 21:11:32 GMT

Samsung Electronics signaled that discussions on cooperation with Nvidia are progressing smoothly, and that collaboration in next-generation memory and foundry services will continue to expand. The comment was made by Samsung Electronics co-CEO and head of the Device Solutions (DS) division Young-hyun Jun following talks with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and senior executives at The Shilla hotel in Jung-gu, on June 8.

Molex expands in Taiwan as AI interconnect demand splits between copper and optics

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:56:55 GMT

Molex is building out a dual-track strategy for AI interconnects, backing both copper and optical solutions as customers pursue different deployment paths, while expanding its Taiwan operations to support the region's AI hardware supply chain.

Beijing backs orbital computing in bid for AI leadership

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:50:54 GMT

China is accelerating its push into space-based computing, betting that the next frontier of artificial intelligence infrastructure may lie beyond Earth.

Bottlenecks for upstream digital camera components pose dilemma for supply chain players amid market renaissance

Willis Ke — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:21:41 GMT

Digital camera demand has made a striking comeback as younger consumers, social media creators, and the streaming economy inject new momentum into a market many had considered obsolete. The resurgence is prompting suppliers to restart idle production lines and invest heavily in new tooling, even as uncertainty remains over how long the boom will last.

LCD monitor panel prices edge up as supply tightens and brand costs rise

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:18:25 GMT

Global readers are likely to feel the effects of a cooling display market, as tighter panel supply, higher component costs, and softer demand reshape pricing. LCD monitor panel makers are still pushing for increases, but brand buyers are resisting more strongly as inventories rise and economic uncertainty weighs on purchasing decisions.

Nvidia push into AI PCs comes as smartphone market faces steep downturn

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:12:26 GMT

Nvidia's move to expand AI-powered PCs could reshape where global consumers and companies use artificial intelligence, shifting more work onto local devices rather than cloud services. The timing matters because handset demand is weakening rapidly, and the industry is confronting higher costs, weaker upgrade demand, and a more difficult global outlook.

LCD TV panel prices flatten as demand cools after early stockpiling

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:09:44 GMT

LCD TV panel prices have stopped rising as China's 618 Shopping Festival stockpiling and sports-event demand fade, leaving global TV supply chains in a more balanced position. For consumers and brands worldwide, the near-term outlook points to stable pricing, even as higher component costs and slower orders reshape the market this quarter.

China introduces energy standards to curb growing EV size and weight

Elaine Chen — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:51:23 GMT

China's electric vehicles have become larger, heavier, and increasingly luxurious over the past decade. Now, regulators are signaling that the industry's era of unchecked expansion may be coming to an end.

Nvidia-Microsoft AI PC alliance raises fears of South Korea being sidelined in next AI era

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:44:05 GMT

Nvidia and Microsoft have teamed up to launch RTX Spark, an AI PC superchip that could reshape personal computer architecture and intensify competition for AI leadership, according to South Korean media, including Edaily. The partnership is also raising concerns in South Korea about its role in the next phase of the global semiconductor and AI market.

Apple M5 Pro teardown points to chiplet strategy shift

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:40:10 GMT

Apple's M5 Pro signals a broader shift in laptop processors, with implications for global device makers, developers, and AI users. A teardown suggests Apple is combining chiplet-style packaging, higher memory bandwidth, and GPU-based AI acceleration to strengthen on-device computing while reshaping how premium PCs approach local AI workloads.

Dreame under scrutiny for breakneck expansion pace and state-owned funding

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:32:12 GMT

A city in China has begun investigating the connections between its local companies and Dreame Technology, a Chinese company known for its robot vacuum cleaners that has reportedly spun off nearly 1000 affiliated companies within 18 months. The move follows a wave of online scrutiny over Dreame's business model, particularly its reliance on local state-owned funding while it aggressively seeks to expand into an expansive range of technology sectors.

China analog IC maker Shanghai Belling raises prices by up to 30%, signaling chip market recovery

Levi Li — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:18:49 GMT

Shanghai Belling, a Chinese analog IC supplier, has announced price adjustments for some of its products starting June 9, 2026, with increases ranging from 10% to 30%. The move is widely seen as a notable step in a fresh round of price adjustments by one of China's most established analog chipmakers.

Exclusive: The semiconductor battle behind AI data centers and EVs

Elaine Chen — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:14:09 GMT

Beneath the rapid expansion of electric vehicles and artificial intelligence infrastructure, a quieter battle is unfolding in the semiconductor supply chain.

V2X data becomes latest target in rising geopolitical tensions

Kevin Wang — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 07:10:17 GMT

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) data management has become the latest battlefront in geopolitical tensions, with recent maneuvering in China, the US, and Europe drawing the most attention. These include China's newly announced data export guidance aimed at tightening controls, a sweeping market ban in the US with bipartisan support, and urgent supply chain risk assessments in the EU. These trends indicate a shift toward data sovereignty under the control of each individual market.

CXMT's cheap DDR5 myth fades as supply, not price, becomes China memory maker's edge

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 06:58:34 GMT

ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) is gaining attention as a potential new force in the global DRAM market, but memory module vendors say the Chinese chipmaker is not offering the low-cost DDR5 supply many in the PC sector had hoped for.

Uneec breaks into IT, liquid cooling racks on AI demand

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 06:50:12 GMT

Demand for artificial intelligence (AI) is pushing server chassis manufacturers to expand into the server rack business. Chenming Electronic Tech (Uneec) is optimistic about its rack business in 2026, with plans to enter the IT rack and liquid cooling rack sectors. President Charles Lo added that its double-wide "fat" rack has already completed validation and can be shipped at any time to meet customer demand.

China launches prefabricated power hub to speed data centers, cut costs

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 06:46:49 GMT

China has launched what state media described as the world's first prefabricated computing-power hub, a modular power system designed to shorten data-center construction times and reduce land and infrastructure costs as demand for computing capacity rises.

Microloops May revenue rises 54% as CSP cooling module shipments start

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 05:55:43 GMT

Cooling module maker Microloops reported May 2026 consolidated revenue of NT$330 million (approx. US$10.45 million), up 54.97% from a month earlier and down 10.76% from a year earlier. Revenue for the first five months of 2026 totaled NT$1.4 billion, a year-over-year increase of 14.9%.

NTT taps Korean, Taiwanese partners for JPY70 billion-plus IOWN fund

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 05:53:13 GMT

NTT plans to establish an investment fund of more than JPY70 billion (approx. US$440 million), with major South Korean and Taiwanese partners to accelerate the international expansion of IOWN, its next-generation communications platform based on optical technology, Yomiuri reported.

Huawei Cloud targets Agentic AI race with Ascend 950DT, smart driving compute, secure hybrid cloud

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 04:40:37 GMT

Huawei Cloud is tying its next phase of cloud growth to Agentic AI, domestic computing power, and industry-specific deployment, launching a new infrastructure framework at its 2026 Huawei Cloud Inspire conference in Shanghai as it seeks a larger role in enterprise AI and smart driving.

Exclusive: Marvell says AI's copper wall is nearing, with custom silicon and optical I/O set to scale

Levi Li — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 04:14:35 GMT

US chipmaker Marvell took a more visible stance at Computex 2026, with CEO Matt Murphy delivering a keynote speech and senior executives visiting Taiwan to lay out the company's outlook for AI data center connectivity technology and market opportunities.

Nvidia and LG Group team up on AI factory, robotics, and autonomous driving in expansive Korea partnership

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 04:10:21 GMT

Nvidia and LG Group announced a wide-ranging partnership on June 7 covering AI factory infrastructure, home robotics, autonomous driving components, and sovereign AI model development, making it one of the broadest single-company collaborations Nvidia has announced during Jensen Huang's South Korea visit.

India tablet market grows despite memory cost pressure

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 03:53:50 GMT

India's tablet market grew 5% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, even as memory prices rose and macroeconomic conditions remained uncertain. For global consumers and manufacturers, the results suggest sustained demand for larger, more capable tablets, alongside stronger local production and exports that could shape regional supply chains.

SpaceX's Google deal highlights shift from AI model ambitions to infrastructure monetization

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 03:30:22 GMT

SpaceX's multibillion-dollar cloud agreement with Google underscores a growing shift in the AI industry from building proprietary models to monetizing computing infrastructure. The deal not only secures a major recurring revenue stream ahead of SpaceX's IPO but also highlights persistent demand for AI capacity as technology companies race to meet surging enterprise adoption.

Wingtech sues Nexperia's Dutch entities as cross-border control dispute deepens

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 03:13:37 GMT

Wingtech has launched a lawsuit in China against Nexperia's Dutch entities and related parties, intensifying a dispute that could affect semiconductor supply chains, corporate governance, and cross-border investment rules for customers and investors worldwide. The case adds another layer to a legal battle already spanning China and the Netherlands.

Weekly news roundup: Taiwan ecosystem strengthens AI chip supply chain as MediaTek, Nvidia deepen cooperation

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 03:02:11 GMT

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of June 1-7, 2026:

Exclusive: Nvidia drops dual-piece cooling architecture for Vera Rubin platform

Elaine Chen — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 02:20:27 GMT

Nvidia's upcoming Vera Rubin AI server platform has become the focus of intense scrutiny after a late-stage redesign of its thermal architecture.

Naver to build gigawatt-scale AI factories on Nvidia platform as Korea's sovereign AI push accelerates

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 02:05:15 GMT

Naver and Nvidia announced on June 7 that the South Korean internet company will expand its AI infrastructure using Nvidia's DSX platform, starting at 55 megawatts and targeting gigawatt-scale deployment. The expansion begins at Naver's GAK Sejong data center in Sejong, South Korea.

Nvidia and SK Hynix announce multiyear memory partnership covering AI servers, PCs, and robotics

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:50:03 GMT

Nvidia and SK Hynix formally announced a multiyear technology partnership on June 7 at SK's Seorin Building in Seoul, during Jensen Huang's third public meeting with SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won on this Korea trip. The agreement covers next-generation memory co-development across Nvidia's full product roadmap and extends into semiconductor design, AI factory infrastructure and digital manufacturing.

Nvidia and Doosan expand ties to target robotics and AI factory infrastructure

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:44:12 GMT

Nvidia and Doosan Group are widening their collaboration to develop physical AI, robotics, and AI factory infrastructure that could shape industrial automation worldwide. The effort spans robotics, heavy equipment, power systems, and advanced materials, highlighting how global AI growth is increasingly tied to manufacturing, energy, and data center supply chains.

Nvidia, SK Telecom plan gigawatt-scale AI cloud in Korea

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:34:49 GMT

According to Nvidia's press release, SK Telecom plans to build a gigawatt-scale AI cloud in Korea, with the first AI factory set to go online in 2027. The project signals how telecom operators may evolve into global AI infrastructure providers, shaping access to computing capacity, energy use, and industrial AI deployment.

Hitachi and Intel strike collaboration on physical AI and industrial infrastructure

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:29:55 GMT

Hitachi and Intel have agreed to work together on physical AI, advanced computing, and digital infrastructure, a move that could shape manufacturing, energy, and mobility systems used worldwide. The partnership targets efficiency, resilience, and faster industrial innovation, with potential implications for factories, power networks, and other critical operations globally.

Commentary: Largan shareholder meeting to draw focus on CPO progress and handset demand

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 01:17:59 GMT

Largan Technology is set to hold its annual shareholder meeting on June 9, and investors worldwide will be watching for signals on handset demand, manufacturing capacity, and its push into AI optical communications. The meeting could also indicate how quickly the lens maker can scale new technologies, and whether margin pressure is easing.

KT Cloud speeds AI data center builds with modular construction and digital twin ops

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:52:51 GMT

KT Cloud is accelerating its artificial intelligence data center rollout in South Korea with modular construction, alternative power sourcing, and a digital twin operations platform. The move highlights how long permitting timelines, grid limits, and evolving GPU demands could shape AI infrastructure availability for users far beyond Korea.

Dassault Systèmes, QCT, and Nvidia push digital twins for AI factories

DIGITIMES — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:49:13 GMT

Dassault Systèmes, Quanta Cloud Technology, and Nvidia are advancing industrial digital twins for AI factories, a shift that could shape how companies worldwide build, run, and scale generative AI systems. The effort targets more efficient inference, stronger lifecycle control, and lower energy use as demand for accelerated computing rises globally.