CONNECT WITH US
Nov 13
Apple's iPhone Duo stumbles in China over app glitches and falling resale prices as Huawei dominates
Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is struggling to gain traction in China, the world's largest foldable phone market. Quality concerns, falling resale prices and compatibility problems with major Chinese apps, including WeChat, have fuelled growing consumer dissatisfaction.
Taiwan-based networking equipment maker Gemtek Technology is gaining momentum in its business recovery following a challenging business-model transition, returning to operating profitability in the third quarter of 2026 as margins improved and direct-supply sales expanded. The company expects fourth-quarter performance to remain at a similar level, supported by resilient demand for networking products and the gradual recovery of its high-value-added businesses.
Pegatron held an online earnings call on November 12, providing updates and an outlook for its product lines beyond servers. The company said revenue from all three major product lines of information products, consumer electronics, and communications recorded double-digit sequential growth in the third quarter of 2026, benefiting from seasonal demand. Communications products posted particularly strong growth, surging 57% from the previous quarter, driven by new smartphone launches and a recovery in networking demand.
Strong iPhone sales and 5G upgrades, combined with continued revenue recognition from AI data center (AIDC), cloud, and enterprise information and communications technology (ICT) projects, drove sustained growth for Taiwan's three major telecom operators in October.
Sercomm Corporation reported record third-quarter revenue of NT$21.83 billion (US$665.92 million) on November 10, up 48% from a year earlier and 5.9% from the previous quarter. The company cited strong demand for broadband infrastructure and networking equipment, and expects shipments to remain high in the fourth quarter.
Apple's generative AI (GenAI) service, Apple Intelligence, has completed regulatory filings for tablets and laptops in China after securing approval to launch on smartphones, advancing the company's AI strategy in the Chinese market.
GIS is shifting from touch displays to semiconductor optics, with laser packaging entering small-volume production in the fourth quarter of 2026 and full capacity expected by the second or third quarter of 2027. Chairman Hsien-ying Chou said production lines have been installed progressively since the second quarter, supported by incoming equipment and customer-supplied materials. Passive optical components and Micro LED applications are also part of the company's expansion.
The global smartphone display market faces a weaker 2026, as OLED panel shipments and revenue are forecast to decline, while memory constraints, rising production costs, and shifting demand pressure manufacturers worldwide. The downturn is expected to accelerate competition among suppliers, even as foldable devices, LTPO adoption, and power-efficient technologies create opportunities.
Taiwan's proposed 2027 government budget would fund a low Earth orbit satellite network using Amazon Leo, adding backup communications for critical sites during disasters and emergencies. The plan reflects concern over the island's reliance on submarine cables and seeks to strengthen connectivity for government, response, medical, and other essential services.
Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) plans to begin preparatory work in 2027 for a potential 6G spectrum release, as licenses for the 700MHz, 900MHz, and 1800MHz bands are due to expire at the end of 2030. The ministry has said the schedule, frequencies, and method for any 6G licensing remain under study and have not been finalized.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) is expanding its investment in film and television content as competition in Taiwan's over-the-top (OTT) market intensifies. The Chunghwa Digital Cultural and Creative Fund (CDCCF), jointly backed by CHT, the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), and E.Sun Bank, began operations in 2026 and recently announced 10 new investments to broaden opportunities for Taiwan's film and television industry through funding, international co-production, and overseas partnerships.
A future communications network capable of detecting certain forms of eavesdropping may depend on something remarkably small: a semiconductor device designed to emit individual particles of light.