Recent shifts in the global smartphone manufacturing landscape highlight diversification efforts among iPhone manufacturers. Tata Electronics is exploring partnerships with major Android brands, while Luxshare expands through acquisitions, reducing reliance on Apple. As Taiwanese firms pivot towards AI and other sectors, this trend underscores the need for new revenue streams amid a maturing market.
Since launching its "Pioneer Program", Huawei has garnered consistent attention in the smartphone market. Having achieved a strong resurgence in China, the company is now aiming to reclaim its position on the global stage.
Lenovo is set to more than double its smartphone and notebook production in India from 6.4 million in fiscal 2024 to over 12 million units in fiscal 2025, driven by the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. This move aims to reduce imports, foster a local component ecosystem, and enhance Lenovo's manufacturing footprint in India.
Tata Electronics is reportedly in negotiations with Xiaomi and Oppo to assemble smartphones, marking a strategic expansion beyond iPhone case manufacturing. This move reflects a trend where established EMS/ODM providers pursue more profitable ventures, creating opportunities for emerging EMS providers amid the global shift in production beyond China into emerging economies.
DIGITIMES Research analyst Brandon Fang observed that AI glasses dominated CES 2025. From pre-show events such as CES Unveiled, Pepcom, and ShowStoppers to the main exhibition, manufacturers from China, Hong Kong, and Germany prominently displayed their latest AI glasses. The innovative displays drew a steady flow of media professionals and attendees, highlighting the rising interest in AI-powered wearables.
Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a controversial ban on the short-video app, according to people familiar with the matter.
Most of Apple's high-end products are likely to be excluded from China's latest round of subsidies, as the country has set a price cap of CNY6,000 (approx. US$822) for eligible digital products. Under the new program, consumers will receive a 15% subsidy on the purchase of smartphones, tablets, and smart bracelets, provided the products fall within the price limit.
Luxshare's planned acquisition of Wingtech's ODM business by the end of 2024 aims to enhance its design capabilities and global presence, while Wingtech shifts focus to semiconductors. This strategic move will help Luxshare diversify beyond Apple orders and expand its global production amid geopolitical uncertainties.
LG Display is reportedly planning to adjust its production line configuration by converting its iPad OLED panel production lines to manufacture iPhone OLED panels. This decision comes in response to lower-than-expected iPad Pro demand, according to The Elec.
Largan Precision chairman Adam Lin has emphasized that specifications for robotic vision applications are not necessarily higher than those of smartphones, particularly noting that 5 plastic (5P) lenses are anticipated to become a future trend.
Since launching its market comeback in August 2023, Huawei has demonstrated significant momentum in China's smartphone market, particularly with its high-end models gaining substantial traction.
Major tech companies are gearing up for a surge in replacement demand as government incentives aim to stimulate sales of home appliances and consumer electronics products.
The Apple Inc. executive leading talks with Indonesia to lift the country's iPhone 16 sales ban departed Jakarta on Wednesday, after a late-stage about-face from a minister scuttled a deal, according to people familiar with the matter.
The US Department of Defense's decision to add Tencent to its Entity List may significantly impact its flagship messaging app, WeChat, especially the international version. This escalation also adds fresh uncertainty to Tencent's relationship with Apple, which has already faced tensions over app payment policies and software updates.
Despite tepid consumer demand, particularly among price-sensitive segments, smartphone vendors are increasingly embracing premiumization as their strategy for the Indian market in 2025.
Smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) devices are gaining widespread attention across the technology industry, drawing interest from software developers, hardware manufacturers, system platform providers, and OEMs.
Chinese smartphone brand Honor is preparing to challenge the Indonesian premium smartphone segment with devices priced above US$300. By 2025, the company plans to launch 30 products in its ecosystem, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and wearable devices, all designed to work seamlessly together.
Foxconn and Dixon Technologies are seeking substantial subsidies under India's incentive scheme, highlighting potential hurdles in India's efforts to attract investments and build itself as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's premium mixed reality (MR) offerings have struggled to gain traction, with Apple's headset selling only 500,000 units in 2024. High pricing at US$3,499 and a limited app ecosystem are key barriers. Meta's Quest Pro, priced at US$1,500, has faced similar challenges, leading to its discontinuation.
Chinese government subsidies for mobile devices have sparked optimism among Taiwan's power amplifier (PA) supply chain players, with industry sources expecting a revival in China's handset market and component sales in 2025.
China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) data shows that foreign smartphone makers shipped 3.04 million units in China in November 2024, a sharp 47% decrease from 5.8 million units in the same period of 2023. The sequential drop was even more severe, at 51%, marking the fourth consecutive month of sales declines.
As the world witnesses the rapid shift in global supply chains triggered by the impending commencement of Donald Trump's second term, India has taken a significant step by approving Tata Electronics' acquisition of Pegatron India. This move comes in response to concerns that the relocation of Apple's supply chain to India has been progressing at a sluggish pace.
