Taiwan's status as a global powerhouse in the semiconductor industry could be undermined by labor shortages, but talent from India could provide a solution.

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, marking a significant shift in the company's strategy as it also announces the discontinuation of the iPhone SE product line. The iPhone 16e is now positioned as Apple's entry-level iPhone, offering a more affordable option without compromising on key performance features.

According to Infineon's press release, the European Commission has approved funding for Infineon's Smart Power Fab in Dresden under the European Chips Act, with expected approval from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in the coming months. The fab also benefits from the European Commission's IPCEI ME/CT program, totaling about EUR1 billion (approx. US$1.05 billion) in funding. Construction began in March 2023, and the facility is set to open in 2026.

Major PC brands have started raising prices on US-bound products, attributing the hikes to tariff pressures. The industry's strategy has shifted from stockpiling inventory ahead of tariffs to direct price adjustments in response to evolving trade policies.

HiSilicon is keen to grow its chip business beyond mobile phones and computing to the automotive industry, according to industry sources in China. During a recent summit for private entrepreneurs organized by the Chinese government, Huawei founder Zhengfei Ren's remarks about launching "Backup Plan 2.0" have drawn renewed attention.

With geopolitical tensions reshaping the semiconductor landscape, Intel's future hinges on decisions made by its board, the Trump administration, and Wall Street investors eyeing its assets. But inside Intel, engineers are pushing back against the company's current course.

Apple has officially launched its newest budget-friendly model, the iPhone 16e, which is equipped with the company's self-developed modem chip, the C1. The market is keenly observing its performance in terms of communication and power efficiency.

Over the past 70 years of semiconductor industry development, there has been a significant shift towards deconstructing the industrial value chain into individual value chain nodes.

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e featuring the company's first in-house developed 5G modem chip, named the Apple C1. The new modem, which the company claims is the most energy-efficient 5G modem available in smartphones, represents a strategic shift as Apple moves to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm's 5G technology.

US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on auto imports, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals starting as early as April 2, with potential increases over time. This follows his recent 10% tariff on Chinese goods and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.

MediaTek has announced its annual February bonus payout, but unlike past years, the 2025 edition has drawn less enthusiasm. While salary adjustments met expectations, many employees observed a noticeable decline in bonuses compared to previous years.

Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launched on January 30, but demand has far outstripped supply. The limited initial stock, a common trend for high-end Nvidia GPUs, quickly vanished due to skyrocketing global demand, bulk purchases from Chinese buyers, and resellers hoarding inventory to capitalize on price surges. In Taiwan, the RTX 5090, originally priced at NT$70,000–80,000 (approx. US$2,138–2,444), is now being resold for NT$200,000, making it nearly impossible to find at its official price.

The Chinese computing power market has experienced significant growth following the debut of DeepSeek R1. According to market sources, the end of the Lunar New Year holidays has increased activity as Internet and cloud service providers integrate with DeepSeek, driving heightened demand for Nvidia H-series GPUs.

The advent of DeepSeek and other factors are contributing to the current shortage of Nvidia's GPUs, as Taiwan's AI industry supply chain is on the brink of entering its third wave of strong growth momentum.

Microsoft Corp. announced its first quantum computing chip, a major step in the company's effort to produce devices that might someday solve problems beyond the reach of modern computers.

Nuvoton, a microcontroller (MCU) provider, is emerging stronger from inventory corrections. Driven by recent pre-shipment demand from notebook/PC clients and continued adjustments to automotive inventory, the company anticipates improved demand across several product lines. Nuvoton is optimistic about its prospects in 2025, projecting overall performance to surpass that of 2024. A key driver will be the mass production of a remote server control (BMC) chip developed in collaboration with Microsoft, expected to positively impact revenue.

The increasing adoption of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked discussions about potential competition to Nvidia's GPU market leadership. However, a recent analysis from Morgan Stanley indicates that ASICs pose minimal threat to Nvidia's position in the sector.

Apple is ramping up efforts to develop its own wireless connectivity chips, signaling a shift away from suppliers. The company is advancing in modem, Wi-Fi, and RF chip development, with plans for gradual integration into new devices.

In the latter half of 2024, global demand for silicon wafers began to rebound from the industry's downturn experienced in 2023, as reported by the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its year-end assessment of the silicon wafer sector.

China recently unveiled a series of subsidy policies targeting consumer electronics and home appliances to stimulate domestic consumption. Beyond the central government's efforts, provinces across the country have introduced additional subsidies of varying sizes. The move aims to bolster consumer spending amid an economic slowdown.

Recent market rumors suggest that Arm is entering the chip development battleground, with Meta's cloud computing chip as its first product. Many are concerned that this indicates Arm will no longer solely operate in technology licensing but will instead compete directly with existing chip design clients, introducing greater uncertainty into the market.

Despite aspirations to become a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse, South Korea's global semiconductor market share remains at a mere 3%. The government is launching a major initiative to cultivate local talent and foster a thriving ecosystem.

While many major players in the communications supply chain have scaled back investments in satellite technology, MediaTek continues to push forward. The company consistently showcases its Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions at key industry events, reinforcing its commitment to this evolving sector.

According to Infineon's press release, the company is advancing its 8-inch silicon carbide (SiC) technology, having released its first products in the first quarter of 2025. These products, produced in Villach, Austria, will offer premium SiC power solutions for high-voltage applications such as renewable energy systems, trains, and electric vehicles.