Royole Technologies, once a leading innovator in flexible OLED panels, has seen its assets go unsold in multiple auctions following its bankruptcy filing in a Shenzhen court in November 2024. According to Nikkei, IC Smart, and 36kr, the company's liquidation process has stalled despite price reductions
A prominent Chinese silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturer has filed for bankruptcy amid intense market competition, yet numerous competitors continue expanding production capacity despite market oversupply
Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Jun Lei announced on December 25, 2024, that the company's automotive division has partnered with Nio, XPeng, and Li Auto to integrate their charging networks. The collaboration will add over 10,000 charging stations to Xiaomi's charging map
Despite the fact that Huawei employs mobile processors manufactured by China's SMIC, the company continues to rely on non-Chinese memory manufacturers for its premium smartphones, according to market sources
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. agreed to form a joint venture for its South Korean operations with E-Mart Inc.'s e-commerce platform to better compete in the country's fast-paced online retail sector
According to Theelec, Samsung Display has begun selling off LCD equipment through Samsung C&T starting November 2024, following its complete exit from the LCD business in 2022 and subsequent transition to OLED display production. The sale includes automatic packaging, cutting and cleaning machines, and a transportation system from its L8 factory, with some equipment already dismantled as of November
South Korean TV giants face mounting pressure as Chinese manufacturers gain ground in the premium TV segment. Samsung Electronics' global premium TV market share dropped to 30% in the third quarter of 2024, down from 43% a year earlier, while LG Electronics saw its share decline from 20% to 16% during the same period
Supported by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) along with an estimated 300 million iPhones exceeding four years of age, there are strong indicators that Apple may experience an upgrade "supercycle." According to MarketWatch, there are approximately 300 million iPhones in use worldwide that have surpassed four years of age, suggesting a potentially significant surge in replacement demand
As global memory manufacturers race to advance DDR5 technology, a dispute has emerged over China's semiconductor capabilities. Zol.com.cn reports that Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China's leading DRAM manufacturer, claims to have achieved an 80% yield rate in its DDR5 mass production, matching the 80-90% yields of industry leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. However, Businesskorea contests this assertion, stating CXMT's actual DDR5 yield hovers between 10-20%, raising doubts about the Chinese media's figures
The Japanese government, which has a history of consolidating domestic semiconductor and display panel industries, has now stepped in to facilitate a merger between Honda and Nissan to bolster the nation's automotive sector
The electric vehicle boom has accelerated Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology development, with Chinese firms emerging as significant contributors. A report from French research firm Knowmade reveals that Chinese companies increased their SiC innovation patent filings by 60% between 2021 and 2023. During this period, 25 new startups filed patents related to SiC substrate technologies, while 50 others focused on SiC devices. These trends align with China's strategic push to strengthen semiconductor self-reliance amid intensifying global trade tensions
LG Display (LGD) has implemented a self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) system into its OLED manufacturing process. The AI system collects and analyzes OLED process data in real-time to identify optimal solutions, expected to save over KRW200 billion (approx. US$139 million) in operational costs annually
Elon Musk's historically amicable approach towards China, including his praises of "China speed" during Tesla's factory establishment, and his marveling at Shanghai's administrative efficiency and infrastructure development, may face new challenges. With Trump set to retake office in January 2025, the potential policy differences regarding China between these two influential figures remain a critical question
With the backing of its major shareholder, Foxconn, Sharp is actively pursuing a transformation strategy. Following an earlier agreement to sell part of the land and facilities at Sakai, Osaka, to SoftBank, Sharp revealed on December 26, 2024, that it has reached an agreement with Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. for the transfer of its fixed assets, which include several buildings
