Despite facing global end-market inventory adjustments and rising geopolitical uncertainties, Taiwan’s printed circuit board (PCB) supply chain is shifting its capital expenditure atmosphere to accelerate positioning in emerging markets such as AI servers and high-performance computing (HPC). Led by global PCB leader Zhen Ding Tech and IC substrate giant Unimicron, these companies have announced expanded investment plans, betting on advanced AI applications and capacity layout in Southeast Asia.

After over a decade of rapid expansion, the global smartphone market has reached a mature and highly competitive stage. DIGITIMES projects that global smartphone shipments will hit approximately 1.22 billion units in 2025, with growth in the low single digits and remaining below pre-pandemic figures. In response, industry leaders Apple and Samsung are shifting focus to enhancing ecosystem integration and developing in-house chips to drive growth.

DIGITIMES chairman Colley Hwang pointed out that from 2025 to 2026, the technology industry will revolve around three key terms: artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and Donald Trump.

Samsung Electronics’ foundry business is showing early signs of a turnaround as it attempts to reclaim market share from its dominant rival, TSMC. Industry insiders indicate that Qualcomm may reconsider Samsung as a key chip supplier if the South Korean company successfully enters mass production on its advanced 2 nm process node.