The used mobile phone recycling market in China has recently heated up, with even non-functional old phones being collected at significantly higher prices than before. This surge is driven by a severe global shortage of consumer-grade memory chips.

The recent surge in display driver IC (DDI) price hikes has spread from China to Taiwan, with reports indicating that Taiwanese DDI design firms will begin raising prices starting in the second quarter of 2026 to reflect escalating supply chain costs. Besides DDIs, related chip products such as T-Con, touch ICs, and power management ICs (PMICs) may also see price adjustments depending on negotiations with individual customers. Reported increases range from 5-15%, with some cases reaching up to 20%.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expected to post record first-quarter profits as surging artificial intelligence demand drives memory prices higher, with suppliers pushing to expand multi-year supply agreements to stabilize earnings.

India has approved 29 additional proposals under its Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), as the government steps up efforts to localize the production of critical parts and reduce reliance on imports. The latest approvals represent a planned investment of about INR71.04 billion (approx. US$750 million), with projected output of INR845.15 billion and an estimated 14,246 direct jobs.

As generative AI continues to advance, its capabilities and application scenarios are rapidly expanding, driving structural changes in computing infrastructure. At AI EXPO Taiwan 2026, HyperAccel Chief Strategy Officer Yongwoong Jung discussed the evolution of AI models, infrastructure cost pressures, and the development of next-generation inference chip architectures, offering his perspective on the future of AI computing.

The rapid rise of the open-source AI agent framework OpenClaw, widely known as "Lobster," is reshaping the AI industry's trajectory in 2026, steering focus from generative models toward agent-based systems and open ecosystems.

Demand for optical communication modules driven by artificial intelligence is exceeding supply, prompting FIC Global (FICG) to accelerate capacity expansion in Malaysia and China, the company said.

Smartphone makers continue to roll out new models, as Xiaomi announced on March 31, 2026, that it will launch the POCO X8 Pro and POCO M8 5G series in Taiwan. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics also unveiled two new Galaxy A series models — the A57 5G and A37 5G — marking the first time that an A series phone supporting e-SIM has been introduced in Taiwan.

Senao International's cautious 2026 outlook, outlined at a March 27 investor briefing, signals global repercussions for device makers as inflation, chip shortages, and high smartphone penetration reshape demand. The Taiwanese distributor plans to pivot toward AI-capable smartphones and the used-phone market to sustain revenue amid slowing shipments and rising component costs.

Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped plans to launch its Afeela 1 electric vehicle in the US in 2026, halting both development and commercialization of the model. The decision also cancels a planned rollout in Japan scheduled for after 2027, as well as work on a second Afeela model that had been slated for unveiling at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show.

Geely, the world's eighth-largest carmaker, is restructuring its European research and development operations to narrow the lag between domestic launches in China and international rollouts to less than six months. Supply chain executives say the move is not merely about shortening product cycles; it will determine whether Geely's brands can fully capitalize on their technological edge before it fades in overseas markets.

EVE Energy reached a record CNY61.47 billion (approx. US$8.8 billion) in revenue for 2025, driven by strong growth in its energy storage segment, yet profit growth remained minimal, according to Sina Finance, highlighting mounting pressure in the competitive battery market. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose just 1.4%, essentially flat, even as shipments and market share climbed.

Industrial PC maker Advantech announced on March 27 a strategic investment via a wholly owned subsidiary in energy solution provider Intelligent Cloud Plus (ICP). The goal: jointly develop standardized, replicable integrated solutions for the power and energy automation market. The move comes as comprehensive solutions grow increasingly important in the competitive edge AI landscape.

Taiwan Power (Taipower) officially submitted its plan to restart the Maanshan (No. 3) nuclear power plant to Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) for review on March 27.

As low Earth orbit satellites evolve from stopgap coverage for remote areas into "base stations in the sky" with onboard computing and routing capabilities, the competitive contours of the global telecommunications industry are beginning to shift.

KingRay Technology, backed by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs Industrial Development Bureau, participated in Germany's XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 under the Taiwan Pavilion to showcase its imaging and AI recognition solutions for military, police, and civilian unmanned vehicles, and to expand into international markets.

The global space industry has long been defined by closed supply chains and steep certification barriers—obstacles that have made it difficult for Taiwan to secure a meaningful foothold despite its strengths in advanced manufacturing.

Apple's long-term push into OLED displays is beginning to reshape the competitive landscape for panel makers, opening new fronts even as it consolidates others.

Global TV buyers and manufacturers are facing higher prices and tighter availability after leading brands accelerated panel purchases in the first quarter of 2026 to meet sports-driven demand and absorb rising memory costs. This front-loading kept demand unusually strong despite typical seasonal softness, putting pressure on large-size LCD TV panels and influencing pricing across global markets.

Rising upstream costs and constrained fab capacity are driving increases in LCD monitor panel prices, with April hikes likely as display driver and timing-controller ICs gain. Tight IPS supply and brands' early stocking have exacerbated global shortages, while notebook panel declines have softened as memory and CPU tightness limit price declines.