Global smartphones, 1Q 2025
Global smartphone shipments hit 294.7 billion units in the first quarter of 2025 with volumes in the second quarter to pick up 4.9% on year.
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Jun
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Jun
Samsung rides GDDR7 wave as Nvidia, AMD shift to comply with US export curbs
In response to intensified US export controls on advanced semiconductor shipments to China, major chipmakers Nvidia and AMD are reportedly adopting Samsung Electronics’ GDDR7 graphics DRAM as a lower-bandwidth alternative to high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which falls under stricter US trade restrictions.
03
Jun
Kinpo charts Middle East expansion, but without a factory
As Middle Eastern nations accelerate economic diversification efforts, global attention is turning to the region’s rising profile as a destination for technology investment — a trend further amplified by US President Donald Trump’s recent visit, which resulted in more than US$2 trillion in investment and cooperation agreements across the region.
03
Jun
Huawei’s Hubble shifts gears: from chips to AI, robotics
Huawei launched Hubble Technology Investment Co. in response to US sanctions in 2019, a wholly owned subsidiary aimed at accelerating China’s push for semiconductor independence. Hubble has since become a cornerstone of Huawei’s strategy to localize its supply chain, with investments spanning chip design, fabrication equipment, semiconductor materials, and EDA software.
03
Jun
Exclusive: Cooler Master’s Vietnam plant sees surge in liquid cooling demand before mass production
Cooling module manufacturer Cooler Master revealed that its Taiwan factory is already operating at full capacity and is actively seeking new sites to expand production. Additionally, the Vietnam plant is scheduled to begin mass production in the third quarter of 2025; however, based on current customer orders, it is expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2025.
03
Jun
TSMC reaffirms commitment to compliance, security amid global pressures
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) held its annual shareholders meeting on June 3, 2025, where Chairman C.C. Wei addressed questions on regulatory compliance, information security, depreciation policy, and supply chain support.
03
Jun
SoftBank and Intel forge AI memory venture to challenge HBM dominance
Japan’s SoftBank has partnered with Intel to co-develop cutting-edge DRAM tailored for AI applications, aiming to challenge the incumbent High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) technology. The new chip initiative could receive backing from the Japanese government and is part of a broader national effort to revitalize Japan’s semiconductor ecosystem.
03
Jun
Waffer Technology sees May revenue dip but expects recovery on auto rebound and magnesium alloy demand
Waffer Technology, a key supplier of magnesium and aluminum structural parts, reported NT$532 million (approximately US$17.8 million) in revenue for May 2025, reflecting an 11.08% decline from April and a 3.91% decrease compared to the same month last year. For the first five months of 2025, cumulative revenue reached NT$2.582 billion, marking a year-on-year drop of 4.53%.
03
Jun
Japan Display scraps Taiwan deal over geopolitical risks
Japan Display Inc. announced on June 2, 2025, that it will cancel its plans to invest in Taiwan’s PanelSemi Corp., citing rising geopolitical risks within the semiconductor sector. However, the two companies will continue their joint development projects.
03
Jun
BOE’s OLED surge stirs déjà vu for South Korea’s display sector
BOE Technology Group is fast-tracking its 8.6-generation (8.6G) OLED production line in Chengdu, raising red flags for South Korean display makers. Having already ceded LCD leadership to China, South Korean firms now worry their edge in OLED may also be under threat.