DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Honda plans deeper China capacity cuts, targets Guangzhou and Wuhan plants

Levi Li — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:38:10 GMT

Struggling with weak sales, Honda has decided to significantly scale back its vehicle production capacity in China, with cuts targeting plants in Guangzhou and Wuhan.

OpenAI's HBM push signals a new AI memory arms race

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:37:08 GMT

A recent report by South Korea's Chosun Biz highlights how OpenAI is actively building a dedicated supply line with Samsung Electronics to secure high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for its artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Lens Technology swings to loss on weak smartphone demand, FX pressure

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:04:54 GMT

Lens Technology reported a sharp earnings reversal in the first quarter of 2026, weighed down by softer demand for smartphones and PCs and rising financial costs, even as it continues to position itself across AI-driven hardware segments.

Commentary: Robots are selling, but profits are not; data is the real prize

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:03:30 GMT

Capital is still pouring into humanoid robotics in 2026, but the industry's financials are telling a more complicated story.

Accelerating enterprise AI: Hardware advancements and compute architecture transformation

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:58:20 GMT

According to DIGITIMES, six major AI applications�Xchatbots, software development, image generation, video generation, enterprise operations automation, and manufacturing process automation�Xare increasingly being adopted by enterprises. The resulting surge

Samsung deploys AI across TV lineup to counter Chinese rivals and weather weak demand

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:57:53 GMT

On April 15, Samsung Electronics unveiled a broad AI-driven TV strategy at "The First Look Seoul 2026" event in Seoul, signaling an aggressive bid to differentiate its products through artificial intelligence and recover market share amid mounting competition and sluggish consumer demand.

C*Core completes internal testing of RISC-V automotive AI MCU with post-quantum security

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:54:04 GMT

Suzhou C*Core Technology announced on April 15 that its next-generation automotive microcontroller unit (MCU), the CCRC4XXX series, has completed internal testing, marking a milestone in its push into high-end automotive semiconductors.

MLCC, inductor prices climb as AI demand meets cost pressure

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:49:58 GMT

Global passive component prices are rising, led by Japanese suppliers, with the trend spreading across China and Taiwan. Higher raw material costs and AI-driven demand are tightening supply and shifting pricing dynamics across the electronics supply chain.

Samsung's VD division reviews China strategy as local rivals gain ground

Elaine Chen — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:41:09 GMT

Rumors of a restructuring of Samsung Electronics's China operations are gaining momentum, with reports suggesting potential scaling back—or even partial withdrawal—from several business lines, including home appliances, televisions, and monitors.

Evalue launches 640kW ultra-fast charger, expanding fast-charging capacity

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:37:49 GMT

Taiwan's Fortune Electric Value Company (Evalue) has launched a 640kW ultra-fast DC charger capable of charging 800V EVs in 15–20 minutes, with support for up to five simultaneous charging guns. The launch could accelerate the buildout of charging infrastructure capacity globally as operators prioritize fast-slow charging mixes and scale partnerships to meet rising EV demand and reduce emissions.

Samsung accelerates Taylor fab ramp-up amid Tesla AI chip deal

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:36:25 GMT

Samsung Electronics is moving ahead with the operational ramp-up of its Taylor, Texas, foundry plant, marking a key step in its push to expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the US and secure new artificial intelligence (AI) chip customers, according to reports from Hankyung, FNN News, and EDaily.

Whetron highlights AI vision and radar safety systems at Taipei AMPA 2026

Elaine Chen — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:36:07 GMT

Whetron Electronics, a Taiwanese Tier 1 automotive electronics supplier, said it recently showcased a new suite of advanced driver-assistance and in-cockpit sensing technologies at the Taipei AMPA 2026, as the company pushes deeper into edge computing and intelligent vehicle safety systems.

Memory module maker Apacer beats full-year 2025 profit in first quarter, inventory climbs

Levi Li — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:08:26 GMT

Memory module maker Apacer Technology reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026, with revenue reaching NT$7.04 billion (approx. US$223 million), gross profit NT$3.47 billion, operating profit NT$2.31 billion, net profit NT$1.86 billion, and earnings per share (EPS) of NT$14.54. Revenue, gross profit, operating profit, and net profit all hit record highs for the quarter. Compared with EPS of NT$6.7 for the full-year 2025, Apacer's first-quarter earnings alone have already exceeded last year's total.

Google reportedly in talks with Pentagon over classified use of Gemini AI models

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:04:45 GMT

Google is in talks with the US Department of Defense that would allow the Pentagon to use the company's Gemini AI models for classified purposes, according to The Information. If the deal comes to fruition, it could represent a deepening of ties between Google and the Pentagon, which is seeking AI partners after its falling out with Anthropic in recent months.

Interview: AI compute startup TBC details biological computing platform linking living neurons and machine learning

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:02:43 GMT

In an era where AI systems are rapidly scaling beyond the limits of traditional silicon, new experimental companies are beginning to question what "compute" itself should look like. One of the most unusual entrants is The Biological Computing Company (TBC), which proposes a hybrid model integrating living neurons with modern machine learning systems to enhance performance, efficiency, and adaptability. The idea sits at the intersection of neuroscience and computing.

Vingroup signs US$6.5 billion India investment framework with Maharashtra

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:58:28 GMT

Vingroup's memorandum of understanding with the Government of Maharashtra, India, could channel about US$6.5 billion into urban development, electric mobility, renewable energy, and social infrastructure, with the potential to reshape India's Mumbai region and serve as a template for large-scale private-sector participation in sustainable urbanization and regional growth.

Topoint bond deal signals wider supply risk for global AI hardware makers

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:46:55 GMT

The surge in AI-grade high-speed computing is pushing printed circuit board manufacturing toward thicker, higher-layer designs, creating a strategic, global shortage of advanced coated PCB drills and raising costs and supply risks for hardware makers and cloud providers, potentially constraining the deployment of server and network equipment over the next two years.

Stellantis, Microsoft ink five-year deal to scale AI, cybersecurity

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:30:53 GMT

Stellantis and Microsoft announced a five-year strategic partnership on April 16 to co-develop AI, cybersecurity, and engineering capabilities.

Spanish startup Openchip targets 2028 launch on agentic AI wave

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:18:36 GMT

Openchip's growth and product roadmap could reshape AI computing supply chains and deployment costs globally, offering lower-power alternatives and CPU-independent modules that could ease constraints for data centers, research institutions, and defense contractors. The developments signal potential new suppliers for countries pursuing sovereign AI capabilities.

Aurotek launches three AI robots to boost Taiwan's smart automation market

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:15:00 GMT

Aurotek's unveiling of three new intelligent robots on April 16, developed with partner Pudu Robotics, signals broader options for global industries seeking automation. The system targets cleaning, inspection, and material handling, promising faster deployment, improved operational resilience, and potential labor-cost mitigation for manufacturers, logistics, and facility managers worldwide.

UMC signals 2026 wafer price adjustment amid tightening demand and capacity pressure

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:00:46 GMT

United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) is expected to raise wafer foundry prices in the second half of 2026, as demand for logic and memory-related applications remains resilient and capacity conditions tighten across its portfolio.

OpenAI reportedly to spend over US$20 billion on Cerebras chips, reducing reliance on Nvidia

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:41:50 GMT

OpenAI has reportedly entered into a multi-year agreement to pay chip startup Cerebras Systems more than US$20 billion for AI server capacity, according to a report by The Information. The deal represents an aggressive move by the ChatGPT creator to diversify its hardware supply chain and mitigate its reliance on Nvidia.

Foxconn Industrial Internet surpasses Huawei in 2025 revenue, driven by AI servers

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:34:10 GMT

Foxconn's industrial arm, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), has ridden the AI server boom to become a revenue leader, illustrating to global manufacturers how advanced production capability and supply‑chain control can translate surging AI demand into market share, influence capacity-location decisions, and strengthen bargaining power across international technology supply chains and investment strategies.

China outlines AI-led investment push and industrial upgrading under new five-year plan framework

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:25:58 GMT

China is preparing a new round of large-scale investment and industrial upgrading centered on AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and strategic emerging industries, according to a briefing by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) at a State Council Information Office press conference on April 17.

China wafer maker NSIG lifts revenue on 300mm momentum

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:22:02 GMT

National Silicon Industry Group (NSIG) reported full-year 2025 revenue growth driven by higher 300mm wafer shipments, though pricing pressure and high fixed costs weighed on margins.

TSMC remains top choice for European AI chip startups amid capacity scramble

Charlene Chen — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:20:18 GMT

European efforts to advance sovereign AI and chip autonomy are gaining momentum, but European AI chip startups say they still primarily rely on TSMC for high-performance computing chips. With the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) yet to offer advanced process technologies, most high-end chips from Europe are produced within Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem.

TSMC revises advanced process and packaging strategy

Charlene Chen — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:11:31 GMT

TSMC chairman C.C. Wei emphasized persistent capacity shortages during the company's earnings call, noting that 3nm technology accounted for about 25% of first-quarter 2026 revenue. New 3nm production capacities will come online sequentially in Taiwan, the US, and Japan between 2027 and 2028. Wei also revealed plans for CoPoS for the first time.

Sivers and Jabil partner on 1.6T optics to tackle AI power demands

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:10:56 GMT

Sivers Semiconductors and Jabil have announced a collaboration to develop a 1.6T optical transceiver module aimed at addressing the growing energy demands of AI data center interconnects. As hyperscale operators face increasing power constraints, the partnership is positioned as a high-efficiency solution for next-generation infrastructure.

Taiwan's OSAT expansion could tighten global test capacity and raise costs

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:04:08 GMT

Taiwan's outsourced semiconductor assembly and test industry is expanding rapidly, driven by AI, high-performance computing, and memory demand. Global supply chains may face tighter advanced-test capacity, higher prices, and accelerated investment as Taiwanese OSATs boost capital spending and capacity, significantly affecting chipmakers and device makers worldwide into 2026 and beyond.

The tumor chip from Taiwan that catches what mouse trials miss

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:03:24 GMT

A year-old startup from Hsinchu, Taiwan is preparing to make its American debut. Fluidiconic Bio will join four other Taiwanese startups at the Plug and Play Silicon Valley Summit this May, pitching a high-information-density tumor-on-a-chip platform that its founders believe can do what decades of animal testing cannot: reveal, with greater resolution, how a cancer drug behaves inside a human tumor — and help pharma teams make better decisions before they reach the clinic.

Apple highlights record progress in recycled materials across products

DIGITIMES — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:03:08 GMT

Apple has announced what it describes as its highest-ever use of recycled materials across its product lineup, underscoring continued efforts to reduce environmental impact and move toward a carbon-neutral supply chain by 2030, according to its latest newsroom update.

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.