Samsung Electronics' annual flagship Galaxy S26 series recently opened for pre-orders and began deliveries on March 13. Qi-meng Chen, general manager of Taiwan Samsung's mobile communications division, said the initial wave of S26 pre-orders exceeded expectations, with overall sales growing 25% compared to the previous generation.
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on March 11 launched investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against 16 major trade partners, including China, the European Union, South Korea, Japan, India, and Taiwan. Taiwan's government said the move was anticipated after the recent Supreme Court of the US ruling that struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), prompting Washington to seek alternative legal mechanisms to maintain its tariff framework.
According to Bloomberg and Reuters, India is considering two new incentive programs—one tied to smartphone exports and another worth more than US$11 billion to support semiconductor development—as New Delhi seeks to deepen electronics manufacturing and strengthen its position in global supply chains.
Samsung has reportedly secured an order to supply 12GB LPDDR5X DRAM for Apple's first foldable iPhone, negotiating a sharply higher price than in previous memory contracts.
Apple has reportedly finalized the design of its first foldable iPhone, tentatively called the iPhone Fold, choosing a book-style form factor and targeting a fall 2026 launch. As market expectations grow, the company is said to have increased its initial production target by about 20%, a move expected to benefit its primary manufacturing partner, Foxconn.
The Taiwanese smartphone market is set to welcome a new contender as Honor plans to open stores and begin selling phones and mobile accessories in 2026. After its flagship model, the Honor Magic8 Pro, received National Communications Commission (NCC) certification, it is expected to hit shelves in Taiwan as early as the second quarter of 2026.
With the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East creating global uncertainties, Qisda chairman Peter Chen warned that prolonged warfare could trigger inflation and disrupt consumer electronics sales. He pointed out that rising memory prices would particularly impact demand for mid-tier to low-end smartphones more than high-end models.
Apple's first foldable iPhone could introduce iPad-style layouts and side-by-side apps to iOS, according to a Bloomberg report, marking a shift toward larger-screen multitasking as the company prepares its long-rumored entry into the foldable smartphone market.
IC distributor WT Microelectronics reported consolidated preliminary revenue of NT$104.4 billion (US$3.28 billion) for February 2026, up about 29% year over year. For the first two months of 2026, cumulative consolidated revenue reached approximately NT$300.2 billion, marking an 89.1% increase year over year.
Apple significantly expanded iPhone production in India in 2025, increasing output by about 53% as the company seeks to reduce its dependence on China and mitigate tariff risks. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, said Apple assembled about 55 million iPhones in India last year, up from 36 million in 2024. Apple produces about 220 million to 230 million iPhones annually worldwide, with India now accounting for roughly a quarter of total output.
Vivo unveiled its V70 series in Taiwan on the March 10, aiming to drive continued growth in its 2026 local operations by bringing flagship features to a broader audience. Although Taiwan's smartphone market is expected to slow in 2025 due to high penetration rates and the price of components continues to rise, Vivo Taiwan President Yi-ting Chen said the company plans to boost revenue by 30% and increase shipment volume by 20% through targeted product segmentation and innovative marketing strategies.
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