Samsung Electronics is accelerating the expansion of its Pyeongtaek semiconductor campus in South Korea, aiming to establish the site as a core production base for next-generation AI memory. The company's fifth fabrication plant, P5, is scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and will support the long-term supply of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM used in AI servers and data-center infrastructure, according to Yonhap and Munhwa.
The US is moving to bar federal agencies from buying certain semiconductors tied to major China-based chipmakers, widening procurement restrictions even as memory shortages and rising prices strain electronics supply chains.
With the semiconductor industry entering a supercycle and reporting record earnings, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are preparing to launch large-scale semiconductor hiring.
Memory price increases are beginning to affect the server market. Wiwynn said that in 2025, server customers and memory suppliers were protected by long-term pricing agreements, but price growth accelerated sharply after the 2026 Lunar New Year. Customer demand remains unchanged. Higher memory costs will pressure ODM gross margins, while final profit and earnings per share (EPS) are expected to remain stable.
NAND prices continue to climb, and supply remains tight. NAND controller supplier Phison Electronics has notified customers that it will revise payment terms. The company said rising NAND prices have sharply increased its funding requirements. To secure a more stable supply, it will discuss prepayment arrangements with customers on a case-by-case basis.
Taiwan's IC design landscape is undergoing a massive structural shift. Early 2026 revenue data reveals a dual-track performance: while established consumer giants navigate a high-base stabilization phase, specialized leaders in Intellectual Property (IP) and AI-optimized storage are capturing explosive value from the ongoing AI infrastructure wave.
At a time when the global memory market is marked by tight supply and surging prices, ZhiTai, the consumer brand under China's YMTC, has recently begun selling multiple SSD and storage products in Taiwan through distributors, targeting gamers, content creators, and high-performance PC builders.
