China market: Smartphone sales over 75 million units in 1Q13, says Analysys

May 22, 11:27

There were 90.54 million handsets sold in the China market during first-quarter 2013, growing 23.5% sequentially and 34.8% on year, and 75.28 million units of them were smartphones, increasing 32.2% sequentially and 141.5% on year, according to Analysys International.

AMD falls to 4th rank MPU supplier in 2012, says IC Insights

May 21, 15:54

A slowdown in notebook and desktop PC purchases coupled with strong growth in smartphones and tablets knocked AMD down to fourth place in microprocessor (MPU) sales in 2012 from second, where AMD had been perched behind Intel since the 1990s, according to IC Insights.

Touch screen IC, LED driver IC suppliers to post strong performance in May

May 21, 14:44

Touch screen controller IC vendors Elan Microelectronics and Egalax-empia Technology (EETI) have both seen their clients step up purchases of touch controller ICs for Haswell-based notebooks and ultrabooks, according to industry sources.

Handset vendors in discussion over producing 6-inch and larger phones

May 20, 15:51

Following the release of various-sized 6-inch and larger handsets from Asia-based vendors such as Huawei Device and Samsung Electronics, Nokia is reportedly in discussion about making larger-size handsets that may be released in the next year, according to industry sources.

Ruggedized PC vendors eyeing 7- to 8-inch tablet market

May 17, 16:09

As 7- to 8-inch displays are expected to become a new specification for ruggedized tablets in 2014, vendors, such as Taiwan-based Getac Technology and Japan-based Panasonic, are eyeing the market for such devices.

Synnex Technology reports profits for 1Q13

Stockwatch - May 17, 14:55

IT and consumer electronics products Synnex Technology International has reported consolidated revenues of NT$73.637 billion (US$2.47 billion), gross margin of 3.23%, net operating profit of NT$577 million, net profit of NT$1.043 billion and net EPS of NT$0.63 for first-quarter 2013.

AUO supply of iPad mini panels in 2Q13 expected to slip sequentially

May 17, 11:36

AU Optronics' (AUO) shipments of panels for the iPad mini are expected to decrease from four million units in the first quarter of 2013 to 2.5-2.8 million units in the second, according to Taiwan-based supply chain sources.

Asia Pacific leads worldwide mobile phone sales growth in 1Q13, says Gartner

May 16, 22:10

Worldwide mobile phone sales to end users totaled nearly 426 million units in the first quarter of 2013, a slight increase of 0.7% from the same period in 2012, according to Gartner. Worldwide smartphone sales totaled 210 million units in the first quarter of 2013, up 42.9% from the first quarter of...

Panel makers to benefit from Huawei plans to sell 60 million smartphones in 2013

May 16, 14:23

Huawei Device is reportedly aiming to sell 60 million smartphones worldwide over the next 12 months, which is expected to bring in major orders for Taiwan-based panel makers, according to industry sources.

Samsung reportedly to supply panels for Microsoft 7.9-inch tablet

May 15, 22:18

Microsoft will reportedly release a 7.9-inch Surface tablet at the end of June featuring displays from Samsung Display, but LG Display (LGD) and Taiwan-based firms have yet to be included in the panel supplier list for the new device, according to industry sources.

BlackBerry to offer BBM on Android and iOS platforms

May 15, 22:16

BlackBerry plans to offer its messenger app, BBM, to competing platforms such as Google's Android and Apple's iOS.

New generation iPhone may adopt sapphire crystal glass for home button

May 15, 21:46

Market rumors that the new generation of Apple's iPhone may adopt sapphire crystal glass for the home button have been circulating and Taiwan-based sapphire substrate maker Tera Xtal has reportedly sent samples to Apple for verification. However, the firm refused to comment on the rumors.

Wistron expected to become largest ODM for BlackBerry in 2013

May 14, 19:58

Wistron has taken over BlackBerry's R&D staff of about 100 members based in Chicago and is expected to undertake production of 50-60% of the vendor's smartphones launched in 2013, becoming its largest ODM, according to Taiwan-based handset supply chain makers.

MediaTek asking clients to confirm IC demand for next 3-6 months, say sources

May 14, 15:49

MediaTek reportedly has urged its clients for smartphone and tablet chipset solutions to offer confirmed prospects of their demand of ICs for the next 3-6 months due to strong market demand and tight production schedule, according to industry sources.

Taiwan market: Taiwan Mobile to launch own-brand tablet

May 14, 11:34

Taiwan Mobile (TWM) will launch myPad P4 Lite, an own-brand 7-inch tablet, for contract-bundled sale on May 15.

Computex 2013 expected to create US$25 billion in business opportunities

May 13, 16:27

Computex Taipei 2013, which will run from June 4-8, is expected to attract 40,000 international buyers and create business opportunities worth US$25 billion. The show will have about 1,700 exhibitors occupying 5,000 booths. Firms such as Intel, Microsoft, Acer, Asustek computer, Corning, Nvidia, Marvell,...

Nokia introduces Asha 501

May 10, 15:59

Nokia has unveiled the first of a new Asha family of smartphones, the Asha 501, targeting the sub-US$100 budget smartphone segment in emerging markets, including India, Latin America and Africa.

Pegatron to expand workforce by 40% in 2H12

May 10, 12:19

Pegatron Technology CEO Jason Cheng, at the company's recent investors meeting, said that the company will start expanding its production workforce in mid-June with the worker number to grow from 100,000 currently to 130,000-140,000, a growth of 40%.

Spreadtrum 1Q13 revenues beat guidance

Newswatch - May 9, 18:39

China-based handset solution vendor Spreadtrum Communications has announced revenues of US$189 million for the first quarter of 2013, down 6.9% sequentially but up 17.3% on year. The sales figures were higher than the company's guidance of US$180-186 million set for the quarter, the company noted.

Smartphone brands to introduce new flagship products in 3Q13

May 9, 15:20

Smartphone brands such as HTC, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics all plan to introduce new flagship models in the third quarter of 2013 in order to take on the forthcoming new iPhone scheduled to be released in the second half of the year, according to industry sources.

Digitimes Research: Global tablet shipments in 1Q13 down sequentially, up on year

May 9, 11:44

There were 31.93 million tablets shipped globally during the first quarter of 2013, decreasing on quarter by 26.1% but increasing on year by 66.1%, according to figures collected by Digitimes Research.

China market: Rising popularity of tablets with 3G functionality to benefit MediaTek, Qualcomm

May 9, 10:46

Demand for 7-8-inch white-box tablets with built-in 3G functionality in China has been increasing, a trend which is likely to benefit MediaTek and Qualcomm, according to industry sources.

Nokia names new China chief

May 8, 16:00

Nokia has appointed Eirk Bertman to serve as its new general manager of Nokia China, effective June 1, 2013. Bertman will replace outgoing Gustavo Eichelmann who will resign for personal reasons.

Synnex Technology April revenues down on month, up on year

May 8, 11:05

IT and consumer electronics channel distributor Synnex Technology International has reported consolidated revenues of NT$26.49 billion (US$892 million) for April, decreasing 2.7% sequentially but increasing 10.8% on year.

Handsets with 4.5-inch and above screens to make up 30% of shipments in China during 2Q13

May 7, 20:04

About 30% of handsets shipped in the China market during the second quarter of 2013 are expected to have panels sized 4.5-inch and above, according to market observers.

Digitimes Research: Taiwan 2Q13 handset shipments to rise by 43.4% sequentially

May 7, 12:02

Taiwan-based makers will ship 17.15 million handsets on OBM (own brand manufacturing), ODM and JDM (joint design manufacturing) basis during the second quarter of 2013, increasing by 43.4% on quarter but decreasing by 10.6% on year, according to Digitimes Research.

Foxconn to shift iPhone orders to FIH, say sources

May 7, 11:57

Foxconn Electronics plans to switch the iPhone orders it received from Apple to its handset subsidiary Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), according to industry sources.

Taiwan market: Chunghwa Telecom aims to have smartphones take up 90% of handset sales by end of 2013

May 6, 22:43

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) is promoting contract-bundled sale of smartphones as part of its efforts to boost mobile access to the Internet and aims to increase the proportion of total handset sales volume for smartphones from 84% at the end of the first quarter to 90% at the end of 2013, according to the...

HTC April revenues up sequentially

May 6, 21:32

Taiwan-based smartphone vendor HTC on May 6 reported consolidated revenues of NT$19.591 billion (US$659 million) for April, increasing by 23.35% on month but decreasing by 36.87% on year, and those of NT$62.379 billion for January-April, slipping by 36.88% on year.

Nokia, BlackBerry to steal spotlight with new models or roadmaps in mid-May

May 6, 21:27

Nokia and BlackBerry will try to steal the spotlight from the market and smartphone users in mid-May as the two vendors will unveil either new smartphones or product roadmaps in huge fanfares.

MediaTek snaps up influx of orders for its new dual-core MT6572 chipset

May 6, 12:20

MediaTek reportedly has landed orders for over one million units of its recently release new dual-core smartphone platform, the MT6572, according to industry sources.

China market: Local vendors compete with Apple, Samsung in high-end smartphone segment

May 3, 15:24

First-tier China-based vendors including Huawei Device, ZTE, Coolpad, Lenovo and Oppo have launched or will launch high-end smartphones in the China market at relatively low prices to compete with Apple and Samsung Electronics, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

Apple and Samsung to ship a combined 110 million tablets in 2013

May 3, 12:16

Taiwan-based TFT-LCD panel makers have received surging orders from international tablet vendors and China-based white-box ones, according to Taiwan-based supply chain sources, adding that Apple and Samsung Electronics together will ship 110 million tablets in 2013.

Apple likely to launch low-cost iPhone in small volumes, say Taiwan makers

May 3, 12:14

Rumors have continued to abound about Apple's forthcoming low-cost iPhone as the US-based smartphone vendor is scheduled to host its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2013 in June.

HTC expects revenues to grow nearly 64% on quarter in 2Q13

May 2, 18:16

HTC expects its revenues to grow 63.6% sequentially to NT$70 billion (US$2.37 billion) in the second quarter of 2013 and its gross margin to improve to 22-24% from 20.3% during the same period, according to the company.

Tablet ownership rates continue to increase, says CEA

May 2, 13:38

Tablet ownership in America has reached a new high with 40% of online US adults indicating they own a tablet, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

Worldwide tablet market surges ahead on strong 1Q13 sales, says IDC

May 2, 12:28

Worldwide tablet shipments continue to surge, growing 142.4% year over year in the first quarter of 2013, according to research firm IDC. Tablet shipments totaled 49.2 million units in the quarter, surpassing that of the entire first half of 2012. With growth fueled by increased market demand for smaller...

Mobile devices lead electronics purchases, says CEA

May 2, 12:24

Consumers' desire for mobility is driving sales of tablets, smartphones, e-book readers and wireless mobile hotspots, according to a new study released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The study also found that consumer electronics (CE) spending is up for individuals (35%) and households...

Disruption in Korean production could have catastrophic impact on global electronics business, says IHS

May 2, 12:16

What would happen if half of all global production for DRAM, two-thirds of NAND flash manufacturing and 70% of the world's tablet display supply suddenly disappeared from the market? The answer would be chaos, with the worldwide electronics supply chain grinding to a halt and stopping major market...

Samsung making 20nm 4Gb LPDDR3 DRAM for mobile devices

Apr 30, 15:48

Samsung Electronics has announced that it is now producing 4-gigabit (4Gb) low-power DDR3 (LPDDR3) mobile DRAM chips using 20nm-class process technology.

Taiwan market: HTC adjusts New HTC One supply to retail channels

Apr 30, 10:37

HTC has adjusted the supply of its New HTC One smartphones to retail channels in Taiwan by delivering the models every 1-2 days in small volumes, instead of supplying larger volumes every 2-3 weeks in order to quickly respond to market demand and adjust supply volumes, according to market sources.

Supply of any-layer PCBs to fall short in 2H13

Apr 29, 22:14

Global supply of any-layer HDI PCBs will likely struggle to keep up with demand in the second half of 2013, when the market for mobile devices enters its peak season, according to sources at Taiwan-based PCB manufacturers.

Commentary: Price competition over 7-inch tablets erodes profits

Apr 29, 14:29

Tier-one tablet makers have been engaging in price competition in the 7-inch tablet market which has eroded profits, according to sources from distribution channels.

Competition between 7-inch tablets arises in 2H13

Apr 29, 12:13

As tablet players are turning their focuses from the 10-inch segment to 7-inch for the second half of 2013, sources from the upstream supply chain believe the competition between Apple iPad mini and 7-inch Android tablets will become fiercer than before.

Samsung posts record 1Q13 profit on smartphone sales

Apr 26, 15:51

Samsung Electronics has announced that net profits climbed to an all-time high of KRW7.15 trillion (US$6.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2013. Consolidated revenues and operating profits for the quarter came to KRW52.87 trillion and KRW8.78 trillion, respectively, in line with company guidance.

Acer to focus smartphone marketing in Europe, Southeast Asia in 2013

Apr 26, 15:38

Viewing that its brand awareness for smartphones is not as global as for PCs, Acer will focus its marketing on Europe and Southeast Asia in 2013.

Digitimes Research: MediaTek increasing chipset portfolios for tablets

Apr 26, 14:52

Riding high on a fivefold increase in shipments of application processors in 2012 triggered by a robust growth of the mobile device market in China, MediaTek has been strengthening its deployment in 28nm process and has also increased the portfolios of its chipset solutions for tablets since the beginning...