China reportedly overcomes BAW filter chokepoint, sparking speculations of Huawei
China's Saiwei Electronics has announced successful mass production and "domestic substitution" of Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) filters. While the industry remains conservative about the immediate integration of these filters into 5G smartphones, this breakthrough resolves China's long-standing "chokepoint" when it comes to RF (Radio Frequency) module supply, and further fuels speculation about the return of Huawei 5G smartphones.
Intel 18A process wins US gov't deal, likely to squeeze potential orders for TSMC Arizona fab
Intel has struck a deal with the US Department of Defense to develop and manufacture chips with its 18A (18-angstrom or 1.8nm) process technology under the DoD's Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes-Commercial (RAMP-C) program, with mass production of the node slated to kick off in 2025. The move is widely seen to put significant pressure on TSMC's US fab in sharing future US government orders for other advanced chips.
SMIC expands production despite geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges
Amid the subdued demands for consumer electronics and smartphones, the rising utilization rate recorded by Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC), the largest pure-play foundry in China, may indicate its intention to grow amid geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges. SMIC registered a rebound in its utilization rate of 78.3% in 2Q23, up ten percentage points from a quarter earlier.
Are Chinese SiC equipment suppliers on the rise?
Six months after reports suggesting that a major Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer took significant steps towards self-producing upstream materials for silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors at the beginning of the year, the actual shipment volume has drastically fallen. The equipment manufacturers find themselves caught between sudden massive orders and the slashing of demand.
Consumer DDR5 memory module prices collapse
Midrange and high-end DDR5 memory module prices for consumer electronics applications have fallen dramatically in China since 2023, with prices for 32GB DDR5 modules reaching about CNY1,000 (US$138.62) compared with CNY2,000 at the beginning of this year, according to sources at memory module houses. Prices for 32GB DDR5 modules averaged around CNY4,000 in 2022, said the sources.
Kioxia faces continuous losses as NAND price further declines
Memory chip manufacturer Kioxia is facing ongoing losses due to weak demand for smartphones, PCs, and data centers, which has led to a prolonged slump in the NAND flash market. According to media reports from NHK and Nikkei, in addition to official company data, Kioxia's financial report for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023 (1QFY23, April 2023 to June 2023) reveals a net loss of JPY103.1 billion (US$720 million), marking the company's third consecutive quarter of losses. Quarterly revenue has decreased by 32% compared to the previous year, reaching only JPY251.1 billion.
