IF / News

TSMC will start producing 2nm GAA-based wafers in 4Q25 at its Fab 20 in Hsinchu which has a capacity of 30k wpm and will be  followed by the 30k wpm Fab 22 in Kaohsiung which is expected  to start produxtion in 1Q26. TSMC  CEO C.C. Wei says planned capacity for the 2nm process is already more than for 3nm. It is reported that the cost of 2-nanometer wafers will reach more than USD30,000. Both N2 and N2P will use TSMC’s  NanoFlex technology, which allows chip designers to mix and match cells from different libraries (high performance, low power, area efficient) within the same block design. N2 is 15% denser than N3E and increases performance over N3E by 10% to 15% at the same power, or reduces power consumption by 25% to 30% at the same frequency and complexity. N2E will be followed by  N2P and the voltage-enhanced N2X in 2026. As for overseas factories, the first plant of Fab21 in Arizona, USA is in trial production, and will mass produce 4nm in 1Q25. According to the latest report from Morgan Stanley, TSMC’s 2nm monthly production capacity will increase from 10,000 pieces in trial production in 2024 to about 50,000 pieces in 2025. By 2026, the A20 chip built into Apple’s iPhone 18 will be mass-produced using a 2nm process, and the monthly production capacity will reach 80,000 pieces. The 3nm production capacity will be simultaneously expanded to 140,000 pieces, of which the Arizona plant in the United States will have a production capacity of 20,000 pieces.(CN Beta, UDN, Taipei Times, WCCFtech, Electronics Weekly)

Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon said the artificial intelligence boom will not lead to a global chip shortage similar to what happened during the pandemic, even with demand for AI-enabled smartphones rising. He has indicated that today the demand and supplies are 100% balanced within semiconductors. There has been a boom in state-backed investment into semiconductor production around the world following shortages during the pandemic, as governments have announced subsidies to promote an essential industry. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged more than USD65B of fresh support for the nation’s semiconductor and AI sector in an attempt to keep pace with the US, EU and China. Amon said demand for smartphone processors will continue to grow as users upgrade to more technically advanced phones that offer AI features.(CN Beta, Yahoo, Bloomberg)

Worldwide silicon wafer shipments increased 5.9% QoQ to 3,214M square inches (MSI) in 3Q24 and registered 6.8% growth from the 3,010MSI recorded during the same quarter in 2023, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG). Lee Chungwei, Chairman of SEMI SMG and Vice President and Chief Auditor at GlobalWafers has indicated that inventory levels have declined throughout the supply chain but generally remain high. Demand for advanced wafers used for AI continues to be strong. However, the silicon wafer demand for automotive and industrial uses continues to be muted, while the demand for silicon used for handset and other consumer products has seen some areas of improvement. As a result, 2025 is likely to continue upward trends, but total shipments are not yet expected to return to the peak levels of 2022. (CN Beta, SEMI)

Samsung has hinted at a cheaper foldable “to lower entry barriers so that more customers can actually experience foldable products, given the high satisfaction among existing foldable users”. The long-rumored Galaxy Z Flip FE could be powered by the Exynos 2400 chipset. The Galaxy Z Flip7, which will launch in 2027, could be powered by the Exynos 2500 processor.  This could mark a major strategic shift for Samsung, as the company has traditionally used Qualcomm Snapdragon processors inside its flip and foldables devices.(Twitter, Twitter, Neowin)

Samsung submitted a patent of tri-foldable phone in 2021. The patent shows a tri-folding phone that opens to a small tablet and when fully unfolded, revealing an even larger display. Samsung’s patent aims to give users the experience of a regular bar phone, a tablet, and a laptop through a single device. As noted in the patent, supporting plates and layers are made of durable materials such as stainless steel or glass. The display on the device includes an anti-reflective layer made of synthetic resin and also has layers underneath the screen. It also features a barrier to prevent debris to enter and damage the screen.  (Neowin, USPTO)

A major smartphone company has allegedly decided to suspend its foldable product line. The 13.6% growth in China’s foldable smartphone market in 20214 is below the expectations and at least one company found it too hard to maintain profitability under these conditions. Previously, OPPO and vivo were rumored to have delayed their development of small foldable phones but continued to support large foldable products to maintain their high-end product lines. While OPPO and vivo are expected to launch the Find N5 and Vivo X Fold 4 series in 2025, there is no clarity on whether they will launch “Flip”-branded foldable phones in future. Additionally, Transsion, a brand focusing on overseas markets, has also stopped developing foldable phones. Its Tecno brand has recently launched the Phantom V2 Flip and V2 Fold, whereas its other brand Infinix recently unveiled the Infinix Zero Flip as a modified version of the Phantom V2 Flip. At present, there is no official word from Transsion on giving up the foldable series. (163.com, GSM Arena, PlayfulDroid, IT Home)

Samsung’s patent describes a system of sensors and small vibration motors located on the edges of a curved display. This offers more precise haptic feedback on smartphone touch display. Samsung’s patent allows the implementation of “virtual buttons” to replace physical buttons while offering haptic feedback that simulates them. Basically, the patent’s technology would allow user to tap the edges of the screen to turn the volume up/down, turn the phone on / off, and even launch apps. The system functions by utilizing a combination of touch sensors and multiple small vibration units strategically placed throughout the designated “pressed” area. A touch sensor triggers the small haptic unit specific to that area when it detects user’s finger.(Android Headlines, USPTO, SamMobiles, MS Poweruser)

Sunny Optical’s Apple lens orders are gradually recovering from 2H24, with an estimated market share of about 5% in 2024. This shift is reflected in significant stock price corrections among Sunny’s competitors, indicating the market is already pricing in this shift. Looking ahead to 2025, benefiting from the ultra-slim iPhone 17 and more mature Apple Intelligence, 2025 iPhone shipments are expected to grow by about 5% to 230M units, further boosting the impact of Sunny Optical’s market share recovery. One major upgrade for the 2026 high-end iPhone 18 is the wide-camera lens upgrading to a variable aperture camera, significantly enhancing the user photography experience. TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates Sunny Optical will be the primary shutter supplier (with Luxshare as secondary) and the second variable aperture lens supplier (after Largan Precision). Sunny Optical’s advantages include experience designing and manufacturing variable aperture cameras for Android clients, while their strong position in shutter orders supports their lens order prospects.(GSM Arena, Medium, Medium)

OmniVision has announced the new OV0TA1B monochrome (mono) / infrared (IR) CMOS image sensor, the first and only solution that fits 3mm module Y dimension and smaller notebook computers, webcams and IoT devices. The OV0TA1B comes in either IR or mono, depending on the customers’ design needs (in cases where the system has another stand-alone RGB camera). It features a 2-micron (µm) pixel based on PureCel pixel technology for high-performance sensitivity and MTF (modulation transfer function), allowing it to maintain the HPD and facial authentication. The OV0TA1B delivers 440 x 360 resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). It is a low-power 220×180 (2.58mW@3fps) image sensor in a 1/15.8-inch optical format.(CN Beta, Electronics Maker, My Drivers, IT Home, OmniVision)

Apple’s camera module supplier for the upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to begin mass production of the components in Dec 2024. LG Innotek will supply the front camera module for iPhone SE 4. Final tests are now said to be underway, with mass production of the module in Dec 2024. LG Innotek usually supplies camera modules around three months before the launch of new smartphones, which tallies with rumours of an iPhone SE 4 launch in Mar / Apr 2025.(CN Beta, Ajunews, Patently Apple, MacRumors)

Apple has allegedly run into problems making the new ‌iPhone 17‌ model sufficiently thin. The device’s reduced thickness is apparently dependent on manufacturing a battery with a thinner substrate, but Apple is now facing technical compromises. One of the main problems is cost and Apple is now reportedly falling back on its existing battery technology. As a result, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air’s battery will not be able to be as thin as Apple first intended for the device’s new design. Now, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air battery will purportedly be around 6mm thick, suggesting that the device itself will be thicker than this. Apple’s thinnest ever iPhone was the ‌iPhone‌ 6 at 6.9mm, meaning that the ‌iPhone 17‌ “Slim” is unlikely to be much thinner than the 2014 flagship. (Apple Insider, Naver, MacRumors)

Boost Mobile has announced major upgrades to its growing 5G network. Previously, Boost Mobile operated as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). In other words, Boost did not have its own towers — it sort of piggybacked off the towers of other networks. Now, Boost Mobile is announcing it covers 70% of the country with its own 5G towers and provides 99% service coverage through roaming partners. The company also plans to invest more than USD10B to build out its own 5G network — a network that is showing faster speeds than AT&T and Verizon.(Android Central, Yahoo, Fierce Network)

Amazon is reportedly developing smart eyeglasses for its delivery drivers to guide them to, around and within buildings, as it tries to smooth the final stretch of an order’s journey to a customer’s home. The glasses would provide drivers with turn-by-turn navigation on a small embedded screen, along their routes and at each stop. Such directions could shave valuable seconds off each delivery by providing left or right directions off elevators and around obstacles such as gates or aggressive dogs. However, Amazon’s delivery glasses could be shelved or delayed indefinitely if they do not work as envisioned, or for financial or other reasons. (Android Authority, Reuters)

Baidu’s hardware branch, Xiaodu, debuted smart eyewear packed with an AI assistant. The glasses, Xiaodu AI Glasses contain cameras for picture and video capabilities and offer speech interactions using Baidu’s Ernie model. This innovation places Baidu in direct rivalry with Meta Platforms’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, created in conjunction with EssilorLuxottica. Xiaodu AI Glasses weigh just 45g and come equipped with a 16Mp ultra-wide-angle camera with AI stabilization, enabling smooth and stable first-person perspective photography. These glasses also feature a four-microphone array to effectively capture sound and open-ear anti-leakage speakers that deliver clear audio, allowing users to engage in an immersive, hands-free experience. The glasses support six core functionalities: real-time Q&A through walk-and-ask queries, calorie recognition, object identification through an encyclopedia feature, audio-visual translation, and intelligent reminders. They are also equipped with AI anti-shake technology for photos and videos, enabling users to document their experiences seamlessly.(Engadget, Financial Times, IT Home, Bloomberg, Yahoo, Gizmo China)

Meta is aunching a VR education program with universities like Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, and University of Leeds. This “Meta for Education” beta gives these schools early access to VR apps and tools so students can dive into experiences that are normally too expensive or tough to get in real life. On top of the beta, Meta is building virtual “metaversities” in Europe. Leeds, Basque Country, and Hannover now have digital twins, basically virtual versions of their campuses, where students can hang out, explore, and take live classes from anywhere. Leeds is already using it for theater classes, Basque will start up in 2025 with anatomy and physio classes, and Hannover’s jumping in soon too. Meta is also backing more resources for teachers. They’re funding an English guide on immersive tech for French educators and supporting the Netherlands’ Immersive Learning Academy, which focuses on creating solid VR content and teacher training.(Neowin, Meta)

Rivian Automotive and Volkswagen Group have launched their upsized joint venture, vowing to join forces to create “cutting edge” EV technology. The deal totals USD5.8B. The JV will be co-led by Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s chief software officer, and Carsten Helbing, Volkswagen Group’s chief technical engineer. Volkswagen Group plans to invest up to USD5.8B in Rivian and the joint venture by 2027. The initial USD1B investment, the form of convertible notes, has already been made. The JV’s goal is to use Rivian’s existing EV architecture and software technology stack to launch Rivian’s next-generation EV in the first half of 2026 and support an expected launch of the first models from the Volkswagen as early as 2027.(CN Beta, TechCrunch, CNBC, Market Watch)

Toyota allegedly aims to make at least 2.5M vehicles a year in China by 2030, an overhaul that will see it bring its Chinese sales and production operations closer together and allow local executives a freer hand in development. Toyota’s strategy is in contrast to that of other global automakers, including Japanese ones, that are either scaling back or pulling out of China. It aims to boost production to as much as 3M vehicles a year by the end of the decade. However, it has stopped short of establishing a formal target. The bigger number represents a 63% increase on the record 1.84M vehicles it produced in China in 2022. In 2023 it produced 1.75M vehicles there. (CN Beta, 163.com, Reuters, Benzinga)

Google has confirmed that the Google Home extension for Gemini is now widely available in the Gemini app for Android users who are enrolled in the Public Preview program. The extension allows users to control their smart home devices straight from the Gemini app using commands in natural language. Google has also announced that its new “Help Me Create” feature, which will allow users to create home automation by describing what they need in natural language, is coming soon to the Google Home app. The feature will help users generate automation by writing commands to Gemini.(Android Authority, Google)

Apple is allegedly aiming to catch up with rivals in the smart home market, is nearing the launch of a new product category: a wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing and use AI to navigate apps. The company is gearing up to announce the device as early as Mar 2025 and will position it as a command center for the home. The product, code-named J490, also will spotlight the new Apple Intelligence AI platform. The device has a roughly 6” display and looks like a square iPad. The product has a touch interface that looks like a blend of the Apple Watch operating system and the iPhone’s recently launched StandBy mode. But the company expects most people to use their voice to interact with the device, relying on the Siri digital assistant and Apple Intelligence. The product will be marketed as a way to control home appliances, chat with Siri, and hold intercom sessions via Apple’s FaceTime software. It will also be loaded with Apple app. (Android Authority, Bloomberg, The Verge, Yahoo, Tom’s Guide)

Vietnam said Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu need to register with the government before the end of Nov 2024 or it will block their internet domains and apps from being used in the country. Vietnam’s government and local businesses have expressed concern about the impact of Chinese online platforms on local markets due to deep discounting. The trade ministry has also said it is worried about the potential for the sale of counterfeit items. Nguyen Hoang Long, Vietnam’s deputy trade minister has indicated that the ministry had worked with both Shein and Temu on the licensing matter. Shein said it sells products directly to Vietnamese consumers and is “committed to complying with Vietnam’s laws and regulations” and is “working closely with local authorities on this matter”. Vietnam allows imported goods of up to VND1M (USD40)to be exempt from a value-added tax. The finance ministry said most items benefiting from this tax break are imported via e-commerce platforms and it is considering terminating the tax break. (CN Beta, Reuters, Nikkei, Sourcing Journal)