Global IDM leader Onsemi announced a cautious outlook for the semiconductor market in its third-quarter 2024 financial report. CEO Hassane El-Khoury tempered expectations for 2025 but underscored promising growth in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) and industrial energy storage markets, which remain resilient amid broader industry challenges
Samsung Electronics (Samsung) has implemented a significant personnel adjustment within its Device Solutions (DS) division to regain competitiveness in the semiconductor sector. This includes appointing the head of the foundry business unit and having the DS department head personally lead the memory business
Huawei will launch its flagship Mate 70 smartphone on November 26, powered by its proprietary HarmonyOS Next. The company is mobilizing developers to build 100,000 applications within the next 6 to 12 months, aiming to establish itself as the third major mobile operating system alongside Apple's iOS and Google's Android
Samsung Electronics has enacted changes to its management, including the appointment of a new chief technology officer (CTO) for its foundry operations
While the US has not yet imposed sanctions on China's high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips and manufacturing equipment, industry sources expect such restrictions are inevitable. This situation highlights the urgent need for local chip manufacturers in China to develop domestic memory capabilities to address the HBM technology gap
A series of meetings between Chinese officials and US tech executives signals potential warming ties, with senior representatives from Nvidia and Apple holding discussions in Beijing this month
The US trade ban has prevented Huawei from competing with other smartphone vendors in 5G mobile chip performance, but the Chinese tech giant is still staying in the smartphone sector, committing resources to the development of operating systems and chips
Market speculation suggests that the US may impose stricter restrictions on China. On November 28, it is anticipated that 200 Chinese semiconductor companies will be added to a trade blacklist, with further limitations on high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips set to be announced in December
China's N-type TOPCon solar production is grappling with overcapacity. In October, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) and 16 tier-1 manufacturers agreed to a minimum price threshold for solar module quotes. Non-compliance could lead to penalties enforced via whistleblowing mechanisms reminiscent of historical grassroots reporting systems
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's vision of sovereign AI encounters significant challenges in China's market, where AI computing resources face a paradoxical situation of scarcity and underutilization. According to industry sources, Beijing plans to prioritize AI computing centers using domestic hardware while blocking those dependent on foreign providers like Nvidia and AMD
Humanoid robots, widely considered the ultimate achievement in robotics, integrate advanced computing, sensors, motors, and AI to replicate human form and movement. Global tech giants including Tesla, Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft have intensified their R&D efforts amid renewed interest in the field, while China has emerged as a frontrunner backed by strong government support
Honda plans to start trial production of all-solid-state batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in January 2025, aiming to double EV driving range and reduce battery costs by 25% compared to conventional lithium-ion solutions
While Xiaomi prepares to launch its first self-developed smartphone system on chip (SoC) in 2025, major chipmakers Qualcomm and MediaTek maintain their composure, expressing confidence in their market positions despite the Chinese manufacturer's entry into the semiconductor space
SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics are focusing on upgrading equipment, transitioning processes, and expanding high-bandwidth memory (HBM) packaging capacity instead of investing in new equipment for 2025. This strategic approach aims to maintain their competitive advantage while managing supply-demand dynamics and pricing stability. However, increased DRAM production by Chinese competitors may challenge the success of this "natural attrition" strategy
Xiaomi is preparing a self-designed mobile processor for its upcoming smartphones in an effort to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers Qualcomm and MediaTek
