Huawei held its fall product launch event on September 24, showcasing several key products, including the 110-inch Smart Screen V5 Max 110, the Watch GT 5 smartwatch series, and the Zhijie R7 electric SUV coupe. However, the highly anticipated Mate 70 series was notably absent, with its release requiring more time.
Unisoc, a leading Chinese chip design company, has secured CNY4 billion (US$548 million) in equity financing, primarily through state-backed platforms including Pudong Venture Capital, Guotai Junan Securities, and Haitong Securities. This critical funding aims to accelerate research and development in 5G and IoT technologies, bolstering Unisoc's domestic market presence while enhancing its competitive edge globally.
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16, spearheading an upgrade in Wi-Fi technology. Wireless communication companies point out that 2024 is a year of technological transition, moving from Wi-Fi 6E to Wi-Fi 7, with the iPhone 16 serving as a significant catalyst. Based on current client engagement, they expect strong momentum in 2025.
Tata Group and Analog Devices have announced a strategic alliance to explore cooperative manufacturing opportunities by using Analog Devices's products in Tata applications.
As the US hosted the Quad Leaders Summit in Delaware, the US and India intensified their semiconductor collaboration by launching a series of initiatives, including a semiconductor fabrication plant.
China's telecom infrastructure tenders are not being implemented with enthusiasm, resulting in limited visibility for network chip orders from the sector, according to industry sources.
The adoption of Wi-Fi 7 across the iPhone 16 series is expected to be a key driver for the rapid penetration of the wireless technology, with Android flagship smartphones likely to follow suit. This trend is set to accelerate the adoption of Wi-Fi 7 in mobile applications, potentially benefiting companies such as MediaTek, Realtek Semiconductor, RichWave Technology, and M3 Technology in 2025.
Apple is poised to equip iPhones with its self-developed 5G modem by 2025. The latest iPhone SE is expected to be the first recipient, potentially arriving as early as the first half of 2025, followed by select models of the iPhone 17 series in the second half of the year. Shipments of Apple's in-house 5G chips are projected to surpass 100 million units by 2026.
Since carriers adopted 5G, the technology has not stopped evolving. For example, the 5G Advanced Network Solutions and the research and development of radio frequency (RF) and baseband 6G chips.
Whether AI-powered smartphones will trigger a new wave of device upgrades has garnered significant attention across various sectors. Taiwan's wireless communication testing specialist, Sporton International, is particularly optimistic about the potential business opportunities and gross margin growth driven by the upcoming hybrid AI trend.
China's government has unveiled new guidelines urging state-owned enterprises to procure innovative technology solutions from domestic suppliers. This move aims to bolster the nation's self-sufficiency in critical high-tech sectors, including semiconductors and satellite technology.
Epitaxial wafer manufacturer LandMark Optoelectronics expects its product mix improvement to drive revenue and profit growth in the third quarter, as US silicon photonics customers begin to pull shipments of 800G (Gigabits per second) or even 1.6T (Terabits per second) networking solutions targeting AI applications and data centers.
The US presidential election has injected fresh uncertainty into global supply chains. Taiwan broadband communication equipment maker Sercomm's chairman James Wang warns that companies must diversify their manufacturing footprint to mitigate risks, a costly strategy that increases inventory and lowers factory utilization.
In its market forecast for the third quarter of 2024, Realtek anticipates significant contributions from the network communications and automotive sectors in the second half of the year. Despite the hype surrounding AI PCs, Windows on Arm (WOA), and potential replacement demand due to the end of Windows 10 support, these factors have yet to translate into actual growth in the PC sector.
Broadband network companies are silently awaiting Wi-Fi 7 to take off on end-user devices, especially with AI PCs and Apple's high-end iPhone 16 models in the second half of 2024 leading to increased momentum in 2025.
A coalition of six major automotive industry associations from Europe, the US, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and France has publicly questioned Avanci's increasing fees for 5G wireless communication standard-essential patents (SEPs) in connected vehicles.
Sharp has made a strategic move to enhance its mobile device wireless communication technology by acquiring communication patents from Foxconn. This acquisition aims to strengthen Sharp's existing capabilities, facilitate expansion into new markets, and support its strategic shift toward home appliances and AI-powered products.
The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) is pushing to lead the global race in 6G commercialization by 2029, following its pioneering efforts with LTE and 5G. However, telecom operators, drawing from their 5G experiences, are advocating for a more measured approach, proposing a hotspot-focused strategy for 6G rollout.
Apple is set to unveil iOS 18, its latest mobile operating system, which promises a slew of significant updates. Among these, the most notable is the expansion of satellite communication services from emergency-only to a regular feature. This shift means that approximately 375 million iPhone users globally will soon be able to use satellite messaging even in non-emergency situations.
MediaTek has issued a statement confirming that Huawei has filed a lawsuit against the company. This legal action may indicate a significant shift in Huawei's approach to patent licensing.
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) and SK Telecom (SKT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate over the next two years on developing next-generation networks, including 6G. This partnership is expected to enhance network performance and security, improve customer experience, and drive innovation in the telecommunications industry.
Four years into Taiwan's 5G era, which began on June 30, 2020, with Chunghwa Telecom's launch, the industry faces a sobering reality. Despite high expectations for 5G to revolutionize consumer and enterprise sectors, the results have fallen short.
