Enterprise investments in 5G private networks are expected to significantly increase following amendments to the "Regulations Governing the Establishment and Use of Mobile Broadband Dedicated Telecommunications Networks" under the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), and revisions to the Industrial Innovation Statute that will increase tax credit incentives, according to Yu-hsin Tsou, deputy director general of the Industrial Development Administration (IDA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Global technology companies, including Google, are increasingly shifting new product introduction (NPI) stages away from China to reduce geopolitical risks, with recent reports indicating Google has begun relocating NPI for its premium smartphones to Vietnam. Industry insiders note initial progress but emphasize significant structural hurdles in this complex transition.

Lite-On Technology's board has approved a public cash tender offer at NT$54 (US$1.71) per share to acquire common shares of U-Media. The minimum acquisition target is 20% of U-Media's issued shares, with a maximum of 100%. A full takeover would cost approximately NT$2.03 billion.

China's major panel maker BOE continues to struggle with OLED production for Apple's iPhones, with the problem unresolved since late 2025. During this period, Samsung Display (SDC) has taken over millions of iPhone OLED orders originally assigned to BOE.

The European Commission presented a revision of the Cybersecurity Act that introduces a phase-out of "high-risk suppliers" from critical infrastructure, targeting China-based technology groups, specifically Huawei and ZTE. The revised framework reflects mounting concern in Brussels over cyberattacks, foreign interference, and the EU's reliance on non-European technology vendors in sensitive sectors. Cyber threats have been on the rise, with officials citing a rising number of ransomware, espionage, and infrastructure attacks as part of the rationale for stronger, coordinated action across member states.

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on January 21, 2026, with Luxembourg-based medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite operator SES to establish North Asia's first second-generation O3b mPower gateway in Taiwan.

Despite forecasts of a decline in sales of ICT products, including smartphones and notebooks, by 2026 due to memory supply shortages, China is introducing new purchase subsidies to sustain consumer demand. The government aims to bolster the market with trade-in incentives following policy measures implemented in early 2025.

Geopolitical uncertainty shows little sign of easing, driving continued adjustments across the global consumer electronics supply chain. In manufacturing, the industry is moving beyond simple capacity dispersion and entering a new phase marked by the geographic redistribution of engineering capabilities. Recent market reports that Google plans to relocate portions of new product introduction (NPI) work for select high-end smartphone models to Vietnam starting in 2026 have drawn close attention across the industry.

Apple, with its iPhone 17 series driving sales, has seen its monthly market share in China surge above 20%, while other major brands like Huawei, Vivo, Honor, Oppo, and Xiaomi have also delivered strong performances. However, inflation, high smartphone penetration, and extended replacement cycles contributed to a slight decline in overall smartphone shipments in China in 2025.

Asus announced on January 2, 2026, that it will not launch new smartphones in 2026, marking a strategic retreat from the mobile phone segment after more than two decades. Chairman Jonney Shih emphasized that Asus will continue to support existing smartphone users while reallocating resources toward longer-term strategic areas.

Due to memory shortages and price hikes, Chinese smartphone brands are expected to reduce their 2026 inventory by at least 10%, mainly affecting cost-sensitive mid-to-low-end models and related SoCs.