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Oct 29
iPhone Duo sales beat expectations as first batch sells out
Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, saw strong demand despite a typhoon disrupting its launch day. Telecom operators said sales have remained robust since the launch, with limited initial shipments creating a supply shortage.
Despite new smartphone launches from Apple, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi, rising memory prices are weakening sales momentum and prompting Chinese smartphone brands to adjust their product mix. DIGITIMES Intelligence senior analyst Luke Lin expects smartphone shipments in China to fall more than 13.5% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2026, and total shipments by Chinese brands to decline more than 35% year-over-year.
Huawei Technologies has reshuffled its top leadership, appointing Consumer Business Group (BG) CEO Gang He to its 17-member board. The move follows the departure of former board member Vincent Peng, who left after more than 27 years with the company, where he most recently served as president of the Global Procurement Qualification Management Department. Huawei has since updated its executive directory on its official website, removing Peng's biography.
FarEasTone Telecommunications signed a cooperation agreement with Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communications provider Elveo Mobile on October 27 to expand satellite-to-phone services in Taiwan. The partnership will integrate D2D capabilities with FarEasTone's existing terrestrial mobile network, supporting broader coverage, stronger communications resilience, and a future integrated space-and-ground network.
South Korean telecommunications provider SK Telecom (SKT) has reportedly established Hy-TF, a task force dedicated to AI collaboration with SK Hynix, to upgrade its digital-twin and data-platform businesses and develop new B2B services.
Fine M-Tec has rejected claims that components it supplied contributed to reported display damage in Apple's first foldable iPhone, saying the issue involves multiple components and precision mechanisms. The dispute could affect perceptions of the South Korean supplier even as analysts forecast growth from expanding foldable device demand ahead.
India's smartphone shipments fell 20% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, reaching a decade low as higher memory costs pushed device prices up. The downturn highlights affordability pressures for consumers and could prompt manufacturers to raise prices, reshape portfolios, and rely on premium segments globally.
Days after the launch of Apple's US$2,000 iPhone Duo, a wave of reports regarding broken inner screens has surfaced across Reddit, TechCrunch, and Forbes. Early buyers reported hearing a loud crunching noise before severe cracking appeared along the hinge. Others experienced complete display malfunctions or "big fat creases down the middle" after just hours or days of use.
Tata Communications announced on October 26 that it plans to invest US$400-450 million in approximately 10,000 kilometers of long-haul fiber across India, linking data centers and AI hubs as it expands its connectivity business. The network will connect domestic corridors with its global backbone.
India's tech push opens markets unevenly: foreign suppliers get first crack at Tata's fab, Lam courts local vendors, Jio's IPO tests its 5G pitch, and CleanMax powers AI data centers.
SpaceX has firmly established itself in direct-to-device connectivity through Starlink's expanding satellite constellation. But the space giant is now pushing beyond orbital coverage as it seeks an equally consequential position in terrestrial mobile infrastructure.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) has established a new subsidiary, CHT Intelligent Vision Solutions (IVS), spinning off an internal team focused on smart security and intelligent video analytics. The new company will target enterprise security, public safety, and smart-city applications, while taking Taiwanese hardware partners overseas.