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Wednesday 16 April 2025
Xiaomi's first in-house SoC set to launch, led by ex-Qualcomm veteran
Xiaomi is restructuring its mobile division ahead of the launch of its first in-house smartphone SoC, branded "Xuanjie." According to ICsmart and Guancha, the company has created a dedicated Chip Platform Department within its product team, appointing Qin Muyun as department head. Qin, who previously served as Senior Director of Product Marketing at Qualcomm, brings years of semiconductor experience and has been with Xiaomi since at least 2021
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Thursday 17 April 2025
Beijing launches 3-year 5G smart city application plan
Recently, Beijing announced a three-year action plan aimed at achieving large-scale 5G applications and industry integration by the end of 2027. The goals include reaching a 100% penetration rate of 5G among individual users, over 75% of the city's network traffic carried by 5G, and 45% industrial adoption, thereby creating a leading global smart city
Thursday 17 April 2025
South Korea's AI paradox: patent prowess, model scarcity, and talent drain
South Korea has emerged as a global frontrunner in artificial intelligence (AI) patent filings, securing the highest per capita rate worldwide. According to the latest AI Index Report from Stanford University's Human-Centered AI Institute (Stanford HAI), in 2022, South Korea recorded 10.26 AI-related patent registrations per 100,000 people, outpacing Luxembourg (8.73), the US (4.23), and Japan (2.53)
Thursday 17 April 2025
Xiaomi delays major product launches as it goes through fallout of fatal EV crash
Xiaomi has postponed a major product launch event that was expected to unveil a new smartphone, AI glasses, tablet devices, and the YU7 electric vehicle, according to industry sources. No new date has been announced for the rescheduled event. The delay follows growing concerns tied to a fatal crash in late March involving the company's SU7 model in Anhui Province, which resulted in the deaths of three students
Thursday 17 April 2025
US factory setback for China's Gotion high-tech; will Taiwanese firms step in?

Gotion High-Tech, one of China's top lithium battery manufacturers, had positioned itself as a trailblazer among Chinese companies expanding into the US market. However, the company's foray into America has not been without hurdles. Recently, reports from international media revealed that operations at its US factory have been halted. In response, Gotion stated that its projects in Illinois are still progressing steadily

Thursday 17 April 2025
Huawei unveils new AI chip just one day after U.S. bans Nvidia's H20 exports
The US Department of Commerce (DOC) recently notified Nvidia that future AI chips H20 intended for the Chinese market will require an "indefinite license" for export to Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, effectively amounting to a sales ban. This sudden move raises concerns regarding whether local Chinese chip manufacturers have alternative solutions ready. In fact, Huawei seems to have already sensed unfavorable changes in the wind
Thursday 17 April 2025
China, Malaysia ink 31 pacts countering US tariff pressure
China and Malaysia struck 31 cooperation agreements during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit, part of his push to deepen ties in Southeast Asia to counter mounting pressure from the US
Thursday 17 April 2025
Jack Ma's resurgence: Who stands to gain from Trump 2.0?
China's economy has endured a series of profound shocks, beginning with the stringent pandemic lockdowns, followed by the collapse of Evergrande and the financial crisis at Country Garden Holdings. These crises triggered a significant decline in societal wealth and caused urban real estate prices to fall, resulting in numerous incomplete construction projects. These challenges present complex problems that are difficult to resolve
Thursday 17 April 2025
Rebellions plants flag in Tokyo, eyes leadership in AI data centers
With its new Tokyo unit, AI chip startup Rebellions is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in Japan's burgeoning AI data center ecosystem. The company's local push comes as Japan ramps up investment in AI infrastructure, and as demand grows for advanced semiconductors capable of powering large-scale AI models
Thursday 17 April 2025
ASML to pass tariff costs to US customers, gain three High NA EUV customers
After disclosing that it would discontinue quarterly order reporting starting in the second quarter of 2025, ASML executives highlighted in their latest earnings call that tariff uncertainty is hindering their ability to forecast full-year impact amid US chip reshoring efforts. Despite this, ASML anticipates China to represent over 25% of its 2025 sales, driven by DUV system demand and a diversifying customer base beyond top chipmakers
Thursday 17 April 2025
XPeng's Turing AI chip nears launch, with cars, drones, and bots in pipeline
XPeng Motors plans to begin mass production of its proprietary AI chip, "Turing," in the second quarter of 2025, with deployment across all of its vehicle models. The chip may also power autonomous flying vehicles and robots developed by XPeng's affiliated ventures, according to reports from the South China Morning Post and Sina Finance
Thursday 17 April 2025
Mature-node tariff clash brews: Taiwan chipmakers tread carefully
As US-China tariff tensions intensify, Beijing has indicated plans to impose steep duties on American semiconductor firms. According to the China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA), integrated circuits—regardless of packaging—will be classified based on the location of their wafer design at customs
Thursday 17 April 2025
From Belgium to Beijing: Melexis rewires its China strategy with local manufacturing muscle

Melexis, a Belgian semiconductor supplier, unveiled a new China strategy on April 16, marking a deeper push into localization and regional supply chain integration. According to ICsmart and Sina, the plan includes setting up a local logistics center, scaling up domestic manufacturing, and expanding the Shanghai office to support China's growing customer demand

Thursday 17 April 2025
Tariff exemptions spur urgent orders, but capacity and cost pressures cloud US smartphone outlook
The US's recent decision to exempt 20 categories of goods—including notebooks, smartphones, tablets, and processors—from tariffs has sparked a wave of urgent procurement among upstream manufacturers. However, the relief has done little to ease broader concerns among brand operators, who continue to grapple with rising component costs and weakening consumer demand. Industry sources warn that these pressures could lead to significant shifts in smartphone market share across North America in 2025
Thursday 17 April 2025
XPeng launches self-developed AI chip in 2025 X9 model
On the evening of April 15, XPeng held a global strategic launch event in Hong Kong to announce its automotive strategy for the AI era and unveiled the 2025 XPeng X9. Chairman and CEO Xiaopeng He stated that the 2025 X9 sets a new benchmark for smart mobility with 496 technical upgrades and 35% new components
Wednesday 16 April 2025
The Great Tech Reset 11: China's dominance in smart driving cars, Japan's semiconductor push, and space race
The Chinese companies complain about America's non-tariff barriers, but many foreign car manufacturers and brands want to enter the Chinese market—what company hasn't returned defeated
Research Report Database
Intel signals overhaul of IDM 2.0 and foundry strategy with Lip-Bu Tan's appointment, says DIGITIMES