10-07 Back to Work: BOE is reportedly seeking to supply the panels for Samsung Galaxy Watch; The DRAM ASP (and market) will soon begin trending downward; etc.
Chipsets
Samsung’s next flagship system-on-chip (SoC) is expected to be integrated into Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10, and is likely to feature a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) designed for on-device artificial intelligence (AI) computing. (GSM Arena, Android Headlines, Medium, Sohu)
Touch Display
BOE is reportedly seeking to supply the panels for Samsung Galaxy Watch. It is currently working on the samples. BOE allegedly plans to supply OLED panels for Huawei’s flagship Mate Pro that debuts later in 2018. BEO started producing its first sixth-generation OLED panels in May 2018 but the yield rate reportedly remains at about 30% due to tricky procedures. Samsung produces about 300K~1M units of the Watch per month. (CN Beta, Pocket Now, The Investor)
Camera
Samsung Galaxy S10+ tri-cam specs is revealed: 12MP (1.4µm) dual aperture (f/1.5 and f/2.4) OIS, 13MP telephoto OIS and 16MP ultra-wide 123º FOV. (GSM Arena, CN Beta)
Storage
According to IC Insights, the DRAM average selling price (ASP) reached USD6.79 in Aug 2018, a 165% increase from 2 years earlier in Aug 2016. Although the DRAM ASP growth rate has slowed in 2018 compared to 2017, it has remained on a solid upward trajectory through the first 8 months of 2018. The DRAM market is known for being very cyclical and after experiencing strong gains for 2 years, historical precedence now strongly suggests that the DRAM ASP (and market) will soon begin trending downward. One indicator suggesting that the DRAM ASP is on the verge of decline is back-to-back years of huge increases in DRAM capital spending to expand or add new fab capacity. (IC Insights, press, Digitimes, Baijiahao)
Sensory
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) component demand for 3D sensing modules is set to boom in 2019 and 2020, as more non-Apple smartphone vendors will be adopting the solutions in their devices, according to Digitimes. The pure-play gallium arsenide (GaAs) foundry Win Semiconductors has reportedly cut into the supplychain for the most recent iPhone by providing Lumemtum VCSEL components for 3D sensing modules. (Digitimes, press, UDN)
Connectivity
Honda is showcasing a pilot project that uses vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications to boost safety around intersections by helping connected vehicles “see” approaching vehicles or pedestrians that are hidden behind buildings or other obstructions. Honda’s “Smart Intersection” technology is based on Honda’s proprietary object-recognition software working in tandem with cameras and other telematics equipment mounted on traffic signal poles. (Engadget, Charlotte Observer, IoT News, Auto Blog, Sina)
Phone
BlackBerry has announced a “quantum–resistant” digital signature that adds this technology to their encryption tools technology to address healthcare, transportation, astrophysics, government, and many other areas. The company cooperates with ISARA with the latter will provide an encryption library. (CN Beta, Enterprise Times, H2S Media)
Global branding consultancy Interbrand has published its annual Best Global Brands report for 2018, showing which international brands dominate and carry the most value. Apple has taken the top slot for the 6th consecutive year. It came out ahead of Google at #2 and Amazon at #3. (Android Headlines, CN Beta, Business Wire, 9to5Mac, Business Tech, Interbrand)
With the global communications industry beginning to migrate from 4G to 5G from 2019 onwards, Apple may find it difficulty to determine its iPhone product mix and pricing strategy, according to sources from Taiwan’s handset supply chain cited by Digitimes. Apple may move in line with fellow vendors and roll out 4G/5G dual-mode smartphones in 2019, upholding its current higher pricing strategy with its first 5G iPhone available starting possibly at USD1,299. (Digitimes, press, CN Beta)
China-based smartphone vendors have continued to launch sub-brand products targeting different markets with diverse positioning and marketing strategies as they look to further expand their market share globally, according to Digitimes. (Digitimes, press)
ASUS launched the ZenFone Max Pro M1 in India in Apr 2018, and now the company has announced that 1M units of the device have been sold. (Gizmo China, NDTV)
