Apple's new generation AirPods Pro 3 earbuds are reportedly equipped with a photo detector (PD) in each unit, built by Taiwan-Asia Semiconductor (TASC), allowing the Taiwanese company to expand its presence in Apple's supply chain. Although the specific application of the component has not been officially confirmed, industry insiders speculate that it is related to the newly added heart rate sensing feature.

Senior Indian semiconductor officials said on September 11, 2025, that Foxconn remains "completely upbeat" about its expansion plans in India despite being forced to send Chinese workers back to China earlier this year, describing the disruption as manageable amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

A new player has joined Taiwan's humanoid robot supply chain, with leading automation system supplier Mirle teaming up with food giant I-Mei Foods and controller maker Syntec to form a new joint venture targeting the unmanned vehicle market. Their self-developed humanoid robot made its debut at SEMICON Taiwan 2025, serving as a prelude to future operations that will expand into robot dogs and drones.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism on September 11, 2025, that a significant trade deal with Taiwan is within reach, raising hopes that temporary tariffs on Taiwanese goods could soon be lifted.

Mexico has announced a plan to raise tariffs of up to 50% on more than 1,400 products imported from China and other Asian countries, a move aimed at protecting domestic industries while navigating complex geopolitical and trade dynamics.

Hiwin Technologies is strengthening its presence across major global markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Europe, Israel, Russia, and the US. This broad expansion seeks to position the company closer to its key customers in the semiconductor and robotics sectors, particularly emphasizing China's emerging "low-altitude economy" as a strategic area.

Texas Instruments (TI) CEO Haviv Ilan stated at the 2025 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference that the data center market is the fastest recovering among all sectors, with the company's revenue from this segment growing over 50% annually. He projects that in 2025, data center operations will generate US$1-1.2 billion in revenue.

Abico Asia and Ability Enterprise, subsidiaries of Abico Group, previously co-invested NT$300 million (approx. US$9.9 million) in Agility Robotics. Agility Robotics recently announced that it has received investment from Nvidia during its Series C funding round.

The anticipated notebook replacement surge in 2025 did not materialize as projected, with the first half disrupted by the United States-China tariff retaliations affecting shipment schedules.

Since the beginning of 2025, despite disruptions from US President Donald Trump's trade protectionism, the AI wave has driven American cloud service providers (CSPs) to continuously purchase AI servers and high-end graphics cards manufactured in Taiwan. This surge has boosted Taiwan's exports to the US by 55%, with information and communication technology (ICT) product exports—primarily servers—increasing by 100%.

Apple has introduced its self-developed vapor chamber (VC) cooling technology for the first time in the iPhone 17 Pro series, aiming to maintain high performance during extended use while ensuring a comfortable hand feel. This marks a significant step as Apple aligns with Android smartphone makers who have long implemented advanced cooling solutions in flagship devices.

Wistron's board of directors approved a significant increase in the capital expenditure budget for its Fremont, California-based wholly-owned subsidiary WisLab EMS Corporation, doubling it from US$71 million to US$143.6 million. The board also authorized the issuance of a third overseas unsecured convertible bond with a tentative cap of US$1.2 billion and a five-year issuance period.

Apple is preparing to debut vapor chamber (VC) cooling in the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, with Taiwan's Asia Vital Components (AVC) and China's Suzhou Tianmai Thermal Technology reportedly tapped as suppliers. The technology is hardly groundbreaking; Android brands have deployed VC since 2019, when 5G devices demanded slimmer designs with advanced thermal solutions. For suppliers, the delay highlights a familiar lesson: winning Apple's business requires stamina and long-term commitment.

Taiwan's semiconductor output hit NT$5.3 trillion (approx. US$175.3 billion) in 2024 and is expected to exceed NT$6 trillion soon, fueled by demand in AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and cloud services. The government plans to invest over NT$30 billion in AI infrastructure by 2026, focusing on technologies like silicon photonics (SiPh) and quantum tech.

Suzhou Everbright Photonics is betting on explosive demand from artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers to drive future growth, Chairman Dayong Min said in an interview with DIGITIMES at the China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE). The company is also expanding into the European market as a hedge against rising geopolitical tensions.

Apple has officially launched its iPhone 17 series, signaling a major shift in its global supply chain strategy as geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties persist. The company plans to gradually shift production of iPhones sold in the US to Indian factories, a significant departure from its traditional reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

The 26th China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE 2025) opened in Shenzhen on September 10, attracting over 3,800 global companies across communications, optics, lasers, displays, and sensing technologies. Co-located with the Shenzhen International Semiconductor Exhibition (SEMI-e), the combined event covers 300,000 square meters, making it one of the largest showcases of integrated optoelectronic and semiconductor ecosystems.

China's large-scale industrial mobilization is on full display as the iPhone 17 enters mass production, with Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory reportedly operating at maximum capacity to meet global demand. Simultaneously, India's manufacturing sector is rapidly expanding, gaining attention as a potential hub for producing the entire iPhone 17 lineup. This dual narrative reflects broader tensions and evolving dynamics within Apple's supply chain ecosystem.

Apple's unveiled iPhone 17 series includes units manufactured in India, sparking significant discussion about the evolving dynamics in the company's global supply chain. Indian facilities are now assembling not only the standard model but also the iPhone 17 Pro and new iPhone Air, with a notable proportion of phones sold in major markets produced locally.

The global robotics sector continues to grow as Taiwanese transmission component manufacturer Chieftek Precision announces a strategic focus on robot development, moving beyond humanoid forms to offer modular solutions. The company aims to provide customers with integrated system modules such as joints and arms, facilitating faster robot design cycles.

Samsung Electronics has continued to demonstrate its resilience in its Taiwan operations in 2025, even in the face of tariffs, inflation, and geopolitical risks. The company saw sustained year-over-year growth across its mobile phone, tablet, and wearable segments, while its home appliance division has also seen a notable turnaround against the market trend.

Taiwan's traditional industries are facing operational pressures from US reciprocal tariffs. However, to encourage companies to invest in the next phase of growth, the Legislative Yuan has passed law amendments proposed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), expanding tax credits for companies investing in smart machinery, 5G, cybersecurity, AI, and energy-saving carbon reduction equipment. Such companies can now receive tax credits up to NT$2 billion (US$61.8 million).

Cooling module manufacturer Microloops has achieved more than 100% year-over-year revenue growth for four consecutive months, driven by robust demand from AI server customers. In August 2025, the company posted consolidated revenue of NT$397 million (around US$13 million), marking a 129.14% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

The 26th China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) and the Shenzhen International Semiconductor & IC Exhibition (SEMI-e 2025) are being held at the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Industrial PC (IPC) companies have begun releasing their revenue figures for August 2025. Despite challenges from the global high-interest-rate environment and geopolitical tensions, overall performance continues to demonstrate resilience through regional and application expansion. Beyond ongoing development of integrated hardware-software solutions, emerging demands in military, edge computing, and semiconductor automation are becoming key strategic focuses for these companies.