DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Visionox pushes ViP OLED commercialization as China's flexible OLED utilization slumps

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:57:39 GMT

Chinese OLED panel maker Visionox is accelerating the commercialization of its proprietary Visionox intelligent Pixelization (ViP) technology even as utilization rates at China's flexible OLED fabs continue to decline amid weaker smartphone demand and lingering inventory pressure.

Google's TPU diversification challenges MediaTek and other ASIC partners

Lily Hess — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:49:54 GMT

Google's push to diversify its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) supply chain is increasingly reaching into the foundry side, adding pressure on ASIC makers such as MediaTek. Recent reports indicate that Google is not only set to adopt Intel's embedded multi-die interconnect bridge (EMIB) packaging for its next-generation product, but is also planning to bring in Samsung Electronics for front-end wafer manufacturing to broaden its capacity sources.

Samsung's Exynos 2600 doubles on-device AI performance in MLPerf benchmarks

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:40:01 GMT

Samsung Electronics announced that its Exynos 2600 mobile application processor delivered more than double the on-device AI performance of the Exynos 2500, according to benchmark results released in June 2026. The company said the chip, manufactured on a 2nm foundry process and slated for Galaxy S26 standard and Plus models in early 2026, showed broad gains across natural language processing and image-generation workloads.

AI server tracker: Taiwan's AI supply chain posts triple-digit gains in May as server makers and memory chips surge

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:33:40 GMT

Taiwan's listed semiconductor and electronics companies posted robust revenue growth in May 2026, with the latest monthly data revealing a widening split between AI infrastructure beneficiaries and legacy consumer electronics players. The five-month cumulative picture through May underscores a structural reordering of the sector's top earners, led by server and AI hardware demand.

AI power race lifts transformer demand, gives Fortune Electric pricing edge

Charlene Chen — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:23:58 GMT

AI-driven demand for power infrastructure is pushing up transformer demand, while long lead times at global giants such as Siemens, ABB, and GE are reshaping bargaining power across the heavy electrical equipment sector. As the "power is computing" trend takes hold, lead time has become a key pricing factor for transformers.

SK Hynix readies HBM4 packaging push as Nvidia demand grows

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:10:14 GMT

SK Hynix is bringing additional back-end equipment into its Cheongju P&T6 facility as it steps up mass-production preparations for HBM4, a move that underscores mounting pressure on advanced memory suppliers to keep pace with demand from AI infrastructure.

Exclusive: Wiwynn sees no AI bubble for 4 years as capex surges

Charlene Chen — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:04:23 GMT

Wiwynn president William Lin says AI demand has exceeded expectations, with orders so strong that even rapid global expansion still feels too slow. The server maker is expanding capacity across the Americas and Asia in 2026 and plans to add Europe as customers push hard to keep up with surging AI workloads.

LG Energy Solution secures patent licensing deal with Sunwoda, ending two-year dispute

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:46:22 GMT

LG Energy Solution (LGES) reached a patent licensing agreement with Chinese battery maker Sunwoda, ending a two-year legal battle that had involved courts in Germany, China, and South Korea, the firms announced. The settlement, disclosed through a joint statement handled by patent manager Tulip Innovation, did not include financial or royalty terms.

X app age rating raised to 19+ on South Korean Google Play Store after Grok's adult-content policy change

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:19:31 GMT

On South Korea's Google Play store, the X app (formerly Twitter) was reclassified to "19 and up" after the social platform updated its community guidelines to permit consensual adult content and embedded the Grok AI model. The change was reported on June 3, and the reclassification added warnings including "not allowed for teenagers" and "extreme violence," according to Chosun Biz.

Weekly news roundup: Samsung foundry profit rebound may come in 3Q26; Nvidia unveils AI PC vision

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:11:10 GMT

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of June 8-14, 2026:

PCIM 2026: How customized AI agents are demystifying EMC design

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:09:44 GMT

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing has historically been the bane of the power electronics industry. Engineers have long approached the compliance phase through trial and error, treating the process as a troublesome obstacle rather than a milestone. This reactive methodology commonly stalls product launches and drags out development, as teams scramble for solutions late in the manufacturing cycle. Adding to the pressure is a demographic shift occurring across modern engineering departments. As senior magnetic components experts retire, an influx of entry-level engineers is being tasked with navigating complex high-frequency board layouts.

Taiwan's UBright broadens beyond optical films with push into semiconductors, passives and smart acoustics

Willis Ke — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:07:27 GMT

Taiwan-based UBright Optronics is accelerating its transformation from an LCD optical film specialist into a diversified technology supplier, expanding into semiconductor materials, passive components and smart acoustics. The new businesses are expected to begin generating revenue in 2026 as product certifications advance, but the company has not yet offered guidance on their revenue impact.

China eases InP substrate exports, lifting compound semiconductor supply

Lily Hess — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:00:38 GMT

China has allowed the release of a fresh supply of indium phosphide (InP) substrates, which are under export controls. A first 2026 batch shipped at the end of May following an earlier release in 2025, easing a capacity bottleneck in the optical communications market. Taiwanese compound semiconductor suppliers including Visual Photonics Epitaxy (VPEC) and Global Communication Semiconductors (GCS) are expected to benefit in the second half of 2026.

Exclusive: Wiwynn president rallies AI ecosystem to tackle power, cooling, optics

Charlene Chen — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:59:24 GMT

AI is reshaping Taiwan into the center of a technological revolution, and the upstream and downstream supply chain is running at full speed. In an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES, Wiwynn president William Lin said AI data centers now face "three major challenges": power, cooling, and connectivity.

The great chip bazaar: India's fragmented fight to build a tech empire

DIGITIMES — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:45:36 GMT

Tata Electronics' planned US$11 billion semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat, has become the anchor of India's front-end chip manufacturing ambitions. The project, supported by technology from Taiwan's PSMC, has also drawn a strategic partnership with Dutch lithography equipment supplier ASML.

General-purpose server demand exceeds expectations; component shortages expected to normalize in 3Q26

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:06:32 GMT

While artificial intelligence (AI) server orders remain robust, tight component supplies have raised concerns about shipments across the supply chain. Component makers say customer pull-ins for general-purpose servers have exceeded earlier expectations, mainly due to shortages of memory and CPUs. They estimate growth will return to its normal trajectory in the third quarter of 2026. Original design manufacturers (ODMs) have stated that component supply is indeed tight, and whether complete systems can be shipped depends on the specific server model.

Machine tool suppliers forge alliances to offer one-stop solutions

Rodney Chan — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:03:12 GMT

In response to a structural shift in the global manufacturing industry, Taiwan's machine tool makers are forming alliances to deliver one-stop solutions. As demand rises for automation, robotics, AI and digital management, manufacturers are no longer asking for a single machine but for integrated systems.

India advances rare earth supply chain as major local conglomerates show interest

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:41:12 GMT

To reduce its dependence on China, the government of India is actively developing a domestic rare earth supply chain, with major local conglomerates expressing investment interest.

Commentary: EU eco-design rules set new bar for smartphone durability and repairability

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:12:49 GMT

The EU's new eco-design, energy labeling, and battery rules for smartphones and tablets may do more than improve environmental performance. They could change how device makers compete, design products, and manage product lifecycles.

LG Innotek's Vietnam substrate investment plan comes as FC-BGA demand broadens

DIGITIMES — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:12:04 GMT

LG Innotek plans to invest more than KRW1 trillion in a new semiconductor substrate plant in Haiphong, Vietnam, reflecting rising demand for substrates used in AI servers, 5G smartphones, and on-device AI chips. The expansion targets RF-SiP, FC-CSP, and FC-BGA substrates, as substrate suppliers adjust capacity plans to stronger demand from advanced mobile devices and AI infrastructure.

India roundup: Meta-Reliance AI data centers, Anthropic-TCS tie-up, EV expansion, Starlink delay and supply chain shifts

DIGITIMES — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:11:53 GMT

India sees rising global tech investment as Meta, Reliance and Anthropic deepen AI ties, while EV firms expand, Starlink faces delays, and semiconductor and tablet markets show steady structural growth.

Fortune Electric sees export-led growth as global AI power demand tightens transformer supply

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:11:28 GMT

Fortune Electric said surging demand for AI infrastructure in the US is lifting its export business, reflecting a broader global scramble for power equipment. The Taiwanese transformer maker said supply remains tight worldwide, with long lead times, rising orders, and expansion plans pointing to prolonged pressure across electricity networks.

Tsang Yow plans Malaysia plant as semiconductor demand shifts to Southeast Asia

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:11:11 GMT

Tsang Yow is preparing to broaden its manufacturing footprint in Malaysia, a move that could help global semiconductor supply chains become more regional, resilient, and tariff-proof. The drivetrain systems maker expects trial production at the new plant before the end of 2026, as demand tied to artificial intelligence and advanced chips reshapes sourcing patterns worldwide.

CATL maps three-stage battery strategy as US blacklist grows

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:10:52 GMT

The US Department of Defense has expanded its list of Chinese military companies, adding major battery, electric vehicle, solar, memory, sensor, and robotics firms. The move came as Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL) disclosed lithium-air battery research, underscoring how Chinese companies are responding to mounting policy pressure.

TM Technology pushes into physical intelligence with its first humanoid robot

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:44:14 GMT

As AI moves beyond software and into factories, warehouses, offices, and homes, humanoid robots are emerging as a strategic frontier for smart manufacturing. TM Technology has introduced its first humanoid robot, signaling a shift toward systems that can navigate human-built environments and potentially lower automation barriers for businesses worldwide.

Taiwan's Eris expects order surge after sanctions on Chinese competitor

Elaine Chen — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:43:57 GMT

The global power semiconductor supply chain is undergoing another reshuffling, after Chinese chipmaker Nexperia triggered disruptions in 2025 and, more recently, China's Yangjie Technology was added to the European Union sanctions list.

Taiwan's screen giants look beyond LCDs for their next act

Elaine Chen — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:43:38 GMT

The demand boost that came from World Cup-related television purchases and China's annual "618" shopping festival is beginning to fade, exposing a familiar challenge for Taiwan's display industry: how to grow when the panel cycle turns against it.

Chunghwa Leading Photonics targets SWIR testing demand in advanced packaging

Kevin Wang — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:43:19 GMT

Chunghwa Leading Photonics Tech, a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom, is set to list on the Taipei Emerging Stock Board. The company has recorded record-high revenue and gross margin in the first four months of 2026, boosted by rising demand in Industry 5.0 applications, advanced semiconductor process inspection, and AI data center optical communication. With short-wave infrared (SWIR) transmissive automated optical inspection (AOI) testing demand set to grow as CoWoS advanced packaging capacity expands, the company is highly optimistic about its prospects for the second half of the year, noting that AI-related demand will likely continue through 2028–2029.

SpeedTech's shift toward assembly and systems work could reshape 2026 revenue mix

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:43:04 GMT

Connector and wire-harness maker SpeedTech is accelerating its shift from component supply toward systems assembly and full-unit OEM production, while expanding into low-Earth orbit satellites, gaming equipment, and industrial PCs (IPCs). The company said these new business lines should support double-digit revenue growth in 2026 over 2025.

SAP highlights agentic AI push as enterprises move from demos to daily operations

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 01:42:40 GMT

Enterprise software makers are under pressure to show practical AI results, not just prototypes, as companies worldwide look to cut costs and speed decisions. SAP is positioning agentic AI as part of that shift, saying enterprise systems must now coordinate workflows, data, and compliance across business functions, including finance, supply chains, and customer service.

Anthropic is complying with a government order to pull its top AI models — and says the rationale is wrong

DIGITIMES — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:27:36 GMT

The US government on June 12 issued an export control directive ordering Anthropic to suspend all access to its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models by any foreign national, whether inside or outside the United States, including foreign national Anthropic employees.

Taiwan drone suppliers push into Western defense chains as Ukraine demand climbs

Sherri Wang — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:01:34 GMT

Taiwan's drone suppliers are seeking deeper ties with Western defense contractors and Ukraine's wartime drone industry, as export demand accelerates and buyers look for alternatives to China-dependent supply chains.

Tesla-linked expansion by Taiwan's Aleees underscores shifts in global battery supply chains

Jingyue Hsiao — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:01:23 GMT

Taiwanese cathode materials maker Aleees has disclosed an expansion plan to meet North American demand for lithium iron phosphate precursor materials. The move highlights Tesla's broader push to localize its battery supply chain, reduce exposure to China-linked technology and materials risks, and secure upstream capacity for electric vehicle production worldwide.

Commentary: Precision vs. breadth—Why Taiwan's lens giants have opposite CPO playbooks

Charlene Chen — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:00:59 GMT

Optical industry leaders Largan and Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) have recently discussed progress in co-packaged optics (CPO), a key non-smartphone growth driver, and their strategies differ sharply. As customer demand and orders become clearer and more firmly secured, both companies have also turned markedly more confident, having taken a more cautious stance in prior quarters.

Samsung to review strategy as memory boom pressures devices

DIGITIMES — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:00:46 GMT

Samsung Electronics is set to hold its semiannual global strategy meeting from June 16 to 18, with executives expected to review a split operating environment: strong memory demand is supporting the chip business, while higher component costs are putting pressure on smartphones, PCs, and other consumer devices.