Taiwan IC design industry faces intensifying G2 pressures in 2026

Taiwan’s integrated circuit (IC) design sector faces intensified challenges as 2026 begins that may push its global revenue ranking to third place, largely due to competitive pressures from the US and China. The dominant reliance on consumer electronics revenue offers limited growth prospects, as AI-driven expansion primarily benefits cloud computing sectors.

Continue reading

Asus halts 2026 smartphone plans, eyes entry into drone and AI glass markets

Asustek Computer has confirmed it will not launch any new smartphones in 2026, effectively scaling back its mobile device business. At the same time, the company emphasized that after-sales support, maintenance, software updates, and warranty services will continue as normal. The move comes amid intensifying global competition and supply chain challenges, with the company redirecting efforts toward emerging products like drones and smart glasses.

Continue reading

Analysis: Japan targets advanced packaging to crack TSMC’s manufacturing edge

Japanese semiconductor firms are pivoting toward advanced packaging and alternative lithography as TSMC extends its scale advantage in artificial intelligence chips. TSMC’s 3nm and 2nm capacity is largely locked in. Advanced packaging now contributes a growing share of sales. The company is on track to see annual revenue exceed US$250 billion around 2029 or 2030. That widening gap has pushed Japanese companies to focus on panel-level packaging and nanoimprint technologies. Both emerged at SEMICON Japan 2025 as key levers to bypass manufacturing bottlenecks and secure a foothold in the fast-expanding AI accelerator supply chain.

Continue reading

Commentary: When the grid can’t keep up with the algorithm

Artificial intelligence continues to be the central force behind the upcoming productivity revolution. Yet in the US, foundational energy constraints threaten to stall progress. The primary obstacle is not a shortage of semiconductor chips or inadequate computing capacity. It is a more fundamental resource: electricity. Increasing demand from AI data centers (AIDCs) is straining the nation’s electric grid. It is testing the limits of social tolerance.

Continue reading

Analysis: Chip boom squeezes device makers as surging component costs threaten margins

The global semiconductor market is projected to reach US$1 trillion as early as 2026, significantly ahead of previous industry forecasts targeting 2030. The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) forecast, released in December 2024, expects growth to be driven predominantly by logic chips, including GPUs and AI accelerators. Memory markets are poised for the steepest increase.

Continue reading

Asus claims No. 1 global market share in OLED monitors as shipments surge in 2025

Asus has secured the top position in the global OLED monitor market, marking a major milestone in a year defined by rapid growth and intensifying competition. According to new data from TrendForce, the company captured an estimated 21.9% market share in 2025, outpacing rivals as worldwide OLED monitor shipments climbed sharply throughout the year. The achievement reflects a strategic push by Asus…

Continue reading