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Tuesday 31 December 2024
2025 semiconductor boom: AI to drive growth while Trump era adds volatility
As 2024 concludes and 2025 begins, AI remains the cornerstone of semiconductor sector growth, fueling increased demand for foundry services. However, Donald Trump's return to the presidency on January 20, 2025, introduces potential uncertainties. His administration's policies could drive inflation and economic cooling, aligning with a predicted downturn in the semiconductor market cycle. This adds complexity to the outlook under the Trump 2.0 administration.
Tuesday 31 December 2024
Samsung awards DS division with bonuses of up to 16% in 2024
Samsung Electronics has reportedly announced the distribution of Overall Performance Incentives (OPI) across its departments. The Device Solutions (DS) division, finally turning a profit, will have its OPI distribution ratio rise from 0% in 2023 to around 12% to 16% in 2024, drawing major attention.
Monday 30 December 2024
South Korea fast-tracks Yongin semiconductor complex development, aiming to be world's largest chip hub
South Korea has expedited the approval of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex. The strategic project aims to bolster the nation's semiconductor industry amid global competition and security concerns.
Friday 27 December 2024
Huawei still relies on non-Chinese memory makers for high-end smartphones
Despite the fact that Huawei employs mobile processors manufactured by China's SMIC, the company continues to rely on non-Chinese memory manufacturers for its premium smartphones, according to market sources.
Friday 27 December 2024
South Korean press challenge CXMT's 80% DDR5 yield claims
As global memory manufacturers race to advance DDR5 technology, a dispute has emerged over China's semiconductor capabilities. Zol.com.cn reports that Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China's leading DRAM manufacturer, claims to have achieved an 80% yield rate in its DDR5 mass production, matching the 80-90% yields of industry leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. However, Businesskorea contests this assertion, stating CXMT's actual DDR5 yield hovers between 10-20%, raising doubts about the Chinese media's figures.
Thursday 26 December 2024
Supply-demand equilibrium expected in NAND market by 2H25
According to Silicon Motion Technology, a specialist in memory device controllers, the NAND flash industry is expected to reach a supply-demand balance or experience a slight shortage in the second half of 2025.
Thursday 26 December 2024
Micron opens third office building in Taichung as Taiwan investment tops US$30 billion
Micron Technology's Taiwan subsidiary officially held an opening ceremony for its third office building in Taichung on December 25, marking a significant milestone in its long-term investment in the region. The new development underscores Micron's commitment to deepening its roots in Taiwan.
Thursday 26 December 2024
HBM4 race heats up among memory giants: customization and DRAM scaling at the crux
Micron is aggressively expanding its footprint in the high-bandwidth memory market, capitalizing on surging AI chip demand to accelerate growth. Backing this expansion, the company is set to receive up to US$6.165 billion in CHIPS Act funding from the US Department of Commerce by the end of 2024. To strengthen its market position, it plans to expand production in the US and Malaysia, aiming for a 20% share of the HBM market by 2025.
Wednesday 25 December 2024
SK Hynix prepares for mass production of 16-layer HBM3E amid intensifying competition
As competition in the high bandwidth memory (HBM) market escalates, SK Hynix is on track to begin mass production of its 16-layer HBM3E products as planned. The significance of this achievement is heightened by the fact that the same stacking technology will be applied to HBM4.
Wednesday 25 December 2024
US$5.2 billion subsidy finalized: Samsung's and SK Hynix's plans and concerns in the US
The US government has recently finalized the subsidy amounts for SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics (Samsung), with the two major South Korean companies receiving US$458 million and US$4.745 billion respectively, totaling over US$5.2 billion. This raises curiosity regarding what investments these two firms will pursue in the US.
Tuesday 24 December 2024
SK Hynix clinches major HBM deal with Broadcom
As Broadcom strengthens its position in AI chip development through partnerships with industry giants like Apple and Google, the company has now secured a significant high-bandwidth memory (HBM) supply agreement with SK Hynix, according to South Korean media reports.
Tuesday 24 December 2024
CXMT reportedly begins DDR5 mass production despite US restrictions
ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China's leading DRAM manufacturer, has reportedly begun mass production of DDR5 memory, according to market sources.
Monday 23 December 2024
Micron forecasts slump in general-purpose memory, casting doubts on Samsung, SK Hynix
Micron has released its first-quarter fiscal 2025 (1QFY25, ending November 28, 2024) financial results, highlighting strong performance in its HBM segment. However, a weaker-than-expected outlook has dampened market confidence, casting a shadow over South Korean rivals Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Monday 23 December 2024
Kioxia's IPO raises questions about AI bets and reliance on NAND
Japanese NAND flash maker Kioxia debuted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime Market on December 18, marking a significant milestone. Despite an initial stock price surge, the company's current market value stands at less than half of the JPY2 trillion (approx. US$13 billion) valuation it held upon separating from Toshiba in 2018.
Monday 23 December 2024
3DIC and packaging drive AI chip innovation at SEMICON Japan 2024
While SEMICON Japan 2024 highlighted 3DIC and advanced packaging equipment essential for artificial intelligence (AI) chips, the event saw fewer physical machinery demonstrations than expected.
Monday 23 December 2024
Nanya to invest NT$6.6bn in DRAM design firm PieceMakers for AI memory solutions
Nanya Technology has greenlit a strategic alliance with DRAM design firm PieceMakers Technology, committing up to NT$6.6 billion (US$1.5 million) in a cash capital increase to secure a 38% stake. The collaboration targets customized ultra-high-bandwidth memory solutions tailored for AI and edge computing demands.
Monday 23 December 2024
Nvidia resolves GB200 challenges, gears up for AI dominance in 2025
Nvidia has overcome production hurdles for its highly anticipated Blackwell chip, with CEO Jensen Huang confirming the resolution of design flaws in collaboration with TSMC. Shipments are now set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a full ramp-up by the first quarter of 2025. Despite recent thermal management challenges in the GB200 Rack system, impacting shipment capacity, the supply chain confirms these issues have been resolved, ensuring smooth production.
Monday 23 December 2024
SK Hynix unveils 61TB SSD, challenging Samsung in AI data center market
Amid surging AI demand, SK Hynix has unveiled a 61TB SSD tailored for AI data centers, marking a significant leap in the enterprise SSD (eSSD) market and intensifying competition with industry leader Samsung Electronics.
Monday 23 December 2024
Samsung reportedly to begin construction of 7th-gen DRAM pilot line
Samsung Electronics (Samsung) is set to construct a test line for 10nm seventh-generation DRAM (1d DRAM) at Pyeongtaek Plant 2 (P2), strengthening its competitive position and enhancing yield improvement for new generation products.
Monday 23 December 2024
Micron advances HBM4 development, sets 2026 for mass production
Micron Technology announced during its latest investor conference that its HBM4 development is progressing as planned while revealing development of HBM4E is underway. The company expects to begin mass production of HBM4 in 2026, according to Wccftech.
Monday 23 December 2024
Micromax partners with Taiwan-based Phison to form MiPhi, advancing India's AI vision
India-based consumer electronics brand Micromax Informatics has partnered with Phison, a Taiwan-based NAND controller and storage provider, to create MiPhi. This strategic collaboration supports India's 'Making AI in India' vision, highlighting the country's aspirations to lead in artificial intelligence.
Friday 20 December 2024
Kioxia targets GenAI growth with plan to double AI NAND share
Kioxia, which recently listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), has announced plans to double its market share in AI-focused NAND products. President Nobuo Hayasaka highlighted the surging demand for AI-driven applications as a primary growth driver. He also called on major shareholders Bain Capital and Toshiba to reduce their stakes within three years to bolster Kioxia's operational independence.
Friday 20 December 2024
Kioxia IPO stirs tension in South Korean memory market
The world's third-largest NAND flash manufacturer, Kioxia, has officially gone public in Japan, securing funding for investments in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor technologies. This move has drawn close attention from major South Korean companies Samsung Electronics (Samsung) and SK Hynix.
Friday 20 December 2024
SK Hynix lands US$458 million CHIPS Act grant
The US Department of Commerce has awarded SK Hynix a grant of up to US$458 million under the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act), supporting the company's efforts to strengthen the AI supply chain in the US. The funding will support the establishment of a research center in Indiana focused on next-generation high bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced packaging R&D.
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