Washington's reciprocal tariffs announced in April have disrupted global trade flows and economic momentum, putting the smartphone industry directly at risk. Forecasts for annual handset demand have been cut, and debate is mounting over whether 2025 will swing from growth back into contraction.
The US has tightened controls on China's semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors under the banner of national security. Yet the surge of generative AI is reshaping industries worldwide, and Beijing is pressing ahead with its ambitions, especially in embedding AI into consumer and industrial devices.
Google has officially launched its latest lineup of Pixel devices, all powered by the next-generation Tensor G5 chip, built using TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm process. In a rare move, Google's US headquarters publicly acknowledged its partnership with the Taiwanese chipmaker, underscoring the growing strategic importance of Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain.
