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Aug 29
South Korean media points to TSMC as main cause of Samsung's AP procurement cost surge
Samsung Electronics' smartphone division is reportedly struggling with escalating cost pressures, largely attributed to the rapid rise in prices for mobile application processors (AP). While increasing the use of its own Exynos chips could potentially reduce procurement expenses, Samsung still finds it challenging to fully replace Qualcomm's products due to performance and market competitiveness considerations.
As the global AI wave accelerates, the concept of sovereign AI is moving to the forefront. At a recent event, Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) Chairman Alex C. C. Chien emphasized that Taiwan must not only strive for technological leadership but also prioritize the development of "sovereign AI" and "digital sovereignty."
Despite slowing smartphone demand, with annual shipments nearing 1.2 billion units, mobile phones remain one of the world's best-selling ICT products. While peripheral accessories such as phone cases and screen protectors face low entry barriers, Taiwan's Simmpo and RhinoShield demonstrate that innovation and sustainability can carve out new markets and drive higher profit margins.
Vivo Taiwan is aggressively expanding its presence in the smartphone market. Following the recent debut of its first foldable device, the X Fold5, which marked a major step in strengthening its high-end portfolio, the company launched the V60 on August 26 to capture further market share.
Apple will unveil its latest iPhone lineup on September 9 in California, but Huawei is looking to pre-empt the buzz. The Chinese tech giant confirmed it will hold its "Mate XT Ultimate Master and Full-Scenario Launch Event" on September 4, where it is expected to introduce a tri-fold smartphone. The timing, just five days before Apple's event, is seen as a direct challenge, highlighting Huawei's push to regain ground in the premium smartphone market.
Apple will host its annual fall product event on September 9, where it is expected to debut its iPhone 17 lineup, including a new, thinner version of the device, alongside updated Apple Watches and other products, according to Apple, Reuters, Bloomberg, and CNBC.

Global notebook brands are pressuring Taiwan's optical component suppliers to diversify production under a "Non-China, Non-Taiwan" (NCNT) mandate. What started as efforts to reduce reliance on China has expanded into demands that by 2027, supply chains fully exit Taiwan, which major PC makers now view as a geopolitical risk.

The era of 6G is approaching, with the integration of AI becoming a central focus. South Korea's telecommunications industry emphasizes the interdependence between AI and networks: without intelligent networks, large-scale AI services cannot exist. However, many practical challenges remain to be overcome in implementation.
With the rapid advancement of AI technology, the global telecommunications industry is entering a new phase of transformation. The development of 6G networks will not merely be an upgrade from 5G, but will focus on network innovation tailored to AI services.
At the OCP APAC Summit, Ethernet and UALink advocates clashed over data center interconnect architectures. Kurtis Bowman, UALink board chair and AMD's director of architecture and strategy, questioned Ethernet's latency performance in scale-up scenarios, arguing that its technical limits hinder high-performance application scaling.
Taiwan-based networking manufacturer Gemtek Technology announced on August 25, 2025, that it has begun shipments of its latest 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) fixed wireless access (FWA) products, which will be deployed by a major telecom operator in India. This marks another milestone in Gemtek's efforts to expand its presence in the global high-speed broadband market.
Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone is taking shape as Samsung Display, DS Neolux, and BH reportedly secure roles in its supply chain. Backed by Samsung Display's exclusive panel development and mass production experience, the project is advancing through prototyping, with a market launch expected as early as the second half of 2026.