Global server market, 4Q 2024
Global server shipments performed better than expected in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will only decline mildly from a quarter ago in the first quarter of 2025.
04
Feb
04
Feb
Samsung chairman’s legal victory sparks speculation on upcoming meeting with Nvidia’s Jensen Huang
Jae-Yong Lee, chairman of Samsung Electronics, has been acquitted in the second trial concerning an improper merger case, marking the resolution of years of legal uncertainty. With his newfound freedom, speculation is mounting about whether he will soon meet with Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang.
04
Feb
South Korean industry skeptical of DeepSeek’s AI cost claims
DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has stirred industry discussion with the announcement of its new “high-efficiency AI” model. The company claims this new model delivers performance comparable to ChatGPT at a dramatically lower cost—generating significant interest across the industry. According to DeepSeek, the breakthrough stems from substantially reduced training costs, a development that could reshape the AI landscape. However, industry experts remain cautious, emphasizing that further validation is needed before drawing any conclusions.
04
Feb
Pegatron cuts shareholding of Indian iPhone plant to 40%
Pegatron has disclosed that it has reduced its holding in an Indian subsidiary to 40%, confirming reports saying India’s Tata Electronics has acquired a 60% stake in the Taiwanese maker’s iPhone manufacturing plant in the South Asian country.
04
Feb
Aleees grows lithium IP certification clientele
Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) has seen steady progress in its lithium intellectual property (IP) certification, even as trade wars and heightened tariffs pose a looming threat to the EV and energy storage industries in 2025. The company released its latest customer certification progress report on February 3, reflecting steady growth in the global lithium battery market.
04
Feb
Samsung Display sales halved over the past decade
Samsung Display sees mixed performance amid industry shifts, with KRW29.2 trillion (US$19.99 billion) in sales during 2024, representing a dramatic decline from a decade ago. The company’s operating income dropped from KRW5.57 trillion in 2023 to KRW3.7 trillion in 2024, reflecting intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers.
04
Feb
NXP records sales slump amid industrial downturn
NXP Semiconductors reported a 9% revenue decline in the fourth quarter of 2024 to US$3.11 billion amid pricing pressures and increased competition. With conservative guidance for the first quarter of 2025, industry analysts note that while automotive demand remains stable, weakness in other sectors highlights broader economic challenges, particularly in Europe.
04
Feb
US tariff chaos undermines North American auto sector, risks investment shift
US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to temporarily delay the implementation of a 25% tariff on automobiles, originally set for January 4, by one month. Despite this extension, uncertainty continues to erode confidence in the North American automotive sector, heightening concerns over long-term stability.
04
Feb
Rise of DeepSeek brings new opportunities, according to component suppliers
Component manufacturers foresee that the emergence of DeepSeek may attract the interest of additional enterprises engaged in innovative AI applications, stimulate the advancement of further AI application services, and accelerate the dissemination of AI applications within edge devices.
04
Feb
DIGITIMES exclusive: Samsung Taiwan confirms participation in Computex; first time in 13 years
With the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem has become increasingly significant. Samsung Electronics (Samsung), which previously prioritized exhibitions in the US and Europe, is reportedly set to participate in Computex for the first time in 13 years, showcasing advanced products such as high bandwidth memory (HBM).