Samsung Electronics will reportedly equip its next-generation Galaxy flagship series with its own flagship mobile SoC platform, the Exynos 2600, resuming a shared chip supply with Qualcomm. This shift is largely due to Samsung's latest 2nm GAA process, which has finally demonstrated acceptable manufacturing results.
Fifty-five iPhone and iPad users in China have filed a joint complaint with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), accusing Apple of abusing its dominant position by requiring all app transactions to go through its official App Store. The complaint also challenges Apple's mandatory in-app purchase (IAP) system, which imposes commissions of up to 30%, according to Reuters and Sina.
Chinese drone maker DJI had once dominated over 70% of the global consumer drone market and as much as 90% in the US. However, Taiwan's domestic drone makers in recent years have begun to shine in the dual-use (civilian and military) market. The industry's production value surpassed NT$5 billion (approx. US$163 million) in 2024 and is expected to exceed NT$10 billion in 2025.
LG Display (LGD) is reportedly planning to invest in production line conversion in 2026 for Apple's next-generation iPhone. According to the latest reports from Korean media, LGD began placing orders for related equipment in the fourth quarter and is expected to start installing them in the first quarter of 2026.
Ahead of Samsung Electronics' October 22, 2025, unveiling of its first extended reality (XR) headset, Apple preemptively launched an upgraded version of its mixed reality (MR) device, the Vision Pro, powered by the new M5 chip. The refreshed model maintains its predecessor's price, signaling a renewed showdown in the head-mounted display arena.
Apple's iPhone Air, the first smartphone in China without a physical SIM slot, ushers in the country's long-awaited eSIM era. But despite the milestone, eSIM adoption in China remains stuck in a testing phase. Regulatory limits, cumbersome activation steps, cross-province restrictions, and complicated device transfers continue to frustrate users, highlighting the gap between technological readiness and policy execution.
Apple's iPhone 17 is shaping up to be the best-performing model since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to multiple analysts cited by The Financial Times. The new generation's sales have significantly exceeded expectations, fueling a robust upgrade cycle.
In a massive strategic bet on the next wave of tech demand, South Korea's leading semiconductor testing provider, Doosan Tesna, is pouring over KRW170 billion (approx. US$120 million) into new testing equipment. Industry observers believe this huge capex plan is a direct move to prepare for a sharp surge in orders from its primary customer, Samsung Electronics, which is set to ramp up production of CMOS image sensors (CIS) for Apple.
Below are the top DIGITIMES Asia stories from October 13 to 19, 2025.
Apple CEO Tim Cook received a custom Labubu during his recent visit to China, where he met with Pop Mart founder Wang Ning and Labubu creator Kasing Lung. This meeting has sparked heated discussions and marks a shift for Apple in China.
Vivo has launched its X300 flagship series and the upgraded OriginOS 6 operating system, marking a milestone in research and innovation as the company enters its 30th anniversary in 2025. As the global smartphone market matures and demand growth slows, Vivo is reshaping its strategy—placing greater emphasis on ecosystem integration and AI development rather than hardware alone.
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