TSMC is giving priority to expanding its 12-inch fab capacity to ease supply. Now clients stand a better chance of having their orders squeezed into TSMC's production schedule in the second quarter of 2021. Taiwan's inductor makers are also keen on expanding production capacity to meet robust demand from the autmotive and handset sectors. Global smartphone shipments are expected to grow almost 50% in first-quarter 2021, according to Digitimes Research.
TSMC prioritizes 12-inch fab expansion: TSMC has prioritized expanding 12-inch fabs over 8-inch ones, and it may be easier for the foundry house to squeeze in extra orders from some clients its 12-inch fabs in the second quarter, according to industry sources.
Taiwan inductor makers keen on capacity expansions: Taiwan makers of inductors are keenly enforcing capacity expansions to meet increasingly strong demand for automotive, handset and other consumer electronics applications, according to industry sources.
Global smartphone shipments to grow 50% in 1Q21: Global smartphone shipments are likely to grow nearly 50% on year to 340 million units in the first quarter of 2021, driven by robust sales of Apple's iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone Pro Max as well as a ramp-up in shipments by Chinese brands to grab the market share relinquished by Huawei, according to Digitimes Research.