As US-Sino chip tensions rise, Beijing strengthens its position in mature process chip manufacturing, echoing its earlier solar panel strategy. While the US maintains a lead in advanced semiconductor technologies, China's state-backed efforts could secure dominance in lower-tech yet vital segments within years.
Hyundai Motor Group has reportedly disbanded its Semiconductor Strategy Group (the Group), a key division tasked with driving the company's in-house development of automotive semiconductors to reduce reliance on external suppliers. Its functions and personnel are being reassigned to other departments as part of a broader restructuring.
While Samsung Electronics has integrated its own Exynos 2400 chip in some models of the Galaxy S24 series, the foldable Galaxy Z Flip6 and Fold6 series are still entirely equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. Currently, Samsung's competitiveness in the application processor (AP) sector remains relatively weak, and whether the upcoming Exynos 2500 can reverse this trend is closely watched.
While the semiconductor supply chain has driven Taiwan's recent surge in electricity use, a trend expected to continue, the exact power consumption requirements for AI remain uncertain. According to Chih-meng Tsai, VP and spokesperson of Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), the electricity provider has developed three strategies to address this challenge: increasing green energy development, optimizing natural gas consumption efficiency, and building backup power plants.
MediaTek has introduced its new Dimensity 8400 SoC series for light flagship smartphones, with Redmi being the first to release a model featuring this processor.
Despite the recent military maneuvers by China's navy and coast guard that threaten Taiwan's security, as well as challenges within China such as a struggling real estate market, US technological sanctions, and supply chain restructuring, the Mainland Affairs Council reports that cross-strait trade is steadily recovering.
The US trade deficit with Taiwan is projected to grow to US$59 billion in 2024, an increase only ranking behind Mexico and Vietnam. However, although US President-elect Donald Trump is now certain to target trade with Mexico, Taiwan should remain safe from restrictions for a number of reasons.
ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China's leading DRAM manufacturer, has reportedly begun mass production of DDR5 memory, according to market sources.
Nan Ya PCB, one of Taiwan's top trio of substrate manufacturers, has capitalized on a strategic opportunity in the latter half of 2024 by launching new high-end substrate products to drive its business transformation and capture a share of the burgeoning AI and high-performance computing (HPC) markets. The company forecasts double-digit revenue growth by 2025.
US President Joe Biden's administration is launching an investigation that will offer President-elect Donald Trump a choice about whether to enact new tariffs on Chinese-made semiconductor chips.
Amid intense competition from Chinese suppliers and a maturing consumer electronics market, Taiwan-based panel provider Innolux is pursuing transformation through its "More than Panel" strategy. The company is exploring advanced semiconductor packaging and maintains cautious optimism about Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging (FOPLP) while acknowledging the inherent challenges.
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