Xiaomi's second-generation in-house mobile processor, the Xring O2, will skip TSMC's 2nm process and instead use the company's 3nm N3P node, underscoring a trade-off between performance, cost, and supply availability. The choice also suggests the chip may not power Xiaomi's most premium flagship smartphones.
The petrochemical industry has been stuck in an intensely competitive red ocean market. The Chinese government has begun promoting measures to curb excessive internal competition, and the cycle of low-price competition is expected to ease in 2026. Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation (FCFC) launched a streamlining plan in the second half of 2025 and is actively shifting toward the compound plastics market. To enter higher-end markets, FCFC plans to complete 5N hydrogen purification equipment by 2027 to secure a foothold in the electronics industry supply chain, while continuing research and development in silicon carbide to align with advanced chip thermal management technologies.
Following the National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) announcement of the quantum computing mainframe construction project, attention has focused on whether Taiwan will use a quantum computer developed by Academia Sinica or procure one from abroad. Sources reveal that the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) under the National Applied Research Laboratories (NIAR) has launched an international tender. If IBM Quantum bids and wins, the deal hinges on whether the US government permits export, as commercial quantum computers are currently banned from overseas sales.
The US White House has formally announced a 25% import tariff on semiconductors under Section 232, while outlining multiple exemption mechanisms that could mitigate the impact on key suppliers. Against this backdrop, a high-level Taiwanese delegation is in Washington for a new round of trade negotiations aimed at safeguarding Taiwan's semiconductor sector and its role in the global, AI-driven supply chain.
Demand for high-performance compute and storage for AI training and inference continues to climb. Phison has partnered with AI infrastructure management software provider Infinitix to integrate its aiDAPTIV+ intelligent storage technology with Infinitix's AI-Stack platform, delivering an enterprise-grade AI training and inference solution that unifies hardware and software.
Honlynn, a subsidiary of Abico Group, will be listed on the Taipei Exchange's Emerging Stock Board on January 16, 2026, marking a strategic inflection point as the company pivots from a traditional office equipment distributor toward an integrated provider of cloud, cybersecurity, and AI-driven solutions, with international expansion firmly in sight.
Unlike previous CES editions that focused on full humanoid robot systems, CES 2026 highlighted the standalone importance of dexterous hands. As the core interface for human–machine interaction, dexterous hands set the ceiling for robotic performance and represent the "last mile" in humanoid robot capability.
The long-discussed Taiwan-US tariff negotiations have finally concluded, agreeing on US$500 billion investment and reciprocal tariffs aligned with those of the EU, Japan, and South Korea without stacking. These terms match disclosures from US sources.
Quanta Computer Executive Vice President and Quanta Cloud Technology President Mike Yang said on January 15 that the company's AI business is expected to deliver at least triple-digit percentage growth in 2026. He added that capital spending is likely to be revised higher, with most of the additional investment planned for the US and a portion allocated to Thailand.
Following the US announcement of reciprocal tariffs in 2025, Taiwanese electronic manufacturing services (EMS) companies operating server assembly plants in Mexico are adjusting their supply chains. They are increasingly sourcing components from ASEAN countries. This shift comes amid growing interest in assembling ASIC servers for AI applications in the region.
The rapid expansion of data centers in the US is placing significant strain on the electric grid, prompting grid operators in multiple states to propose temporary power outages for data centers during peak demand. The move, aimed at managing limited capacity, has met strong opposition from the technology sector and industry groups.
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