04-26: SK Hynix will reduce its total NAND flash wafer production by more than 10% starting this year; LG Electronics allegedly plans to suspend manufacturing of its loss-making mobile phones in the country this year; etc.
Chipsets
Rockchip plans to launch the RK3588, an 8nm octa-core processor featuring four ARM Cortex-A76 CPU cores, four ARM Cortex-A55 cores, and support for 8K video playback. The RK3588 should go into mass production in 1Q20. Other new chips on the horizon include the RK3530 quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor and additional chips for IoT, audio, video, and wireless applications. (Liliputing, Everyday IC)
Globalfoundries and ON Semiconductor have entered into a definitive agreement for ON Semi to acquire a 300mm fab located in East Fishkill, New York. Total consideration for the acquisition is USD430M, of which USD100M has been paid at signing of the definitive agreement, and USD330M will be paid at the end of 2022. (Digitimes, press, My Drivers, China Times)
GlobalWafers’ Novara plant in Italy dedicated to making 8” silicon wafers became the largest supplier of 8” silicon wafers in Europe in 2018, with a 24% market share, according to the Taiwan-based silicon wafer company. Infineon Technologies, NXP Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics are reportedly among the main customers of GlobalWafers’ factory site in Novara, which has an annual capacity of over 5M 8” wafers. (Digitimes, press, China Times, LTN, CTEE)
Despite a ramp-up of orders for 7nm chips, TSMC is still seeing orders for other advanced process nodes remain sluggish which has kept its overall 12” fab capacity in oversupply, according to Digitimes. The recent surge in 7nm chip orders is driven by the upcoming roll-outs of new-generation chip designs for 5G and AI applications. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes)
According to TechanaLye, Huawei is closing the gap with Apple to develop some of the world’s most advanced smartphone chips, on a par with those used in iPhones. The evidence suggests that in 5G chip technology Huawei could be capable of rivalling Qualcomm. IHS Markit estimates that HiSilicon’s sales totaled USD4B in 2017. (My Drivers, Huanqiu, Asia Nikkei)
Memory
SK Hynix will reduce its total NAND flash wafer production by more than 10% starting 2019, as a result of the efforts to slow down its capacity expansion pace. SK Hynix saw its DRAM bit shipments and ASPs decrease 8% and 27%, respectively, on quarter. SK Hynix has also disclosed its NAND flash ASPs fell 32% sequentially in 1Q19, due to “high inventory levels and intensifying competition among suppliers”, while bit shipments slipped 6% on quarter. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes, China Times)
ADATA has introduced a new lineup of microSD cards that use SLC NAND and are aimed at industrial applications. By incorporating the lower-density and higher-reliability memory type, ADATA’s IUDD362 are designed to offer enhanced endurance and a longer lifespans than typical TLC/QLC microSD cards, making the cards a better fit for harsh operating conditions. (CN Beta, AnandTech, ADATA)
Phone
LG Electronics allegedly plans to suspend manufacturing of its loss-making mobile phones in the country this year and shift the production to its existing plant in Vietnam. It has production bases for smartphones in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Brazil and India, and the South Korean factory mainly manufactures high-end models, accounting for 10%~20% of the firm’s total smartphone output. (Android Authority, Reuters, Sina, ZOL)
China-based second-tier smartphone vendors such as the Coosea Group (Koobee), Elephone and Transsion Holding have been enhancing their deployments in overseas markets with high price/performance models to sustain sales growth. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes, press, Yahoo)
Lenovo has confirmed that 200K units of the Lenovo Z6 Pro have been registered in a single day after its launch. (Gizmo China, Weibo, ZOL)
Coolpad is officially launching a platform for family tech innovations called FamilyLabs. The first product to join this platform is the FamilyLabs app via Indiegogo. The FamilyLabs app offers an all-inclusive smartphone monitoring app with the ability for families to communicate, locate one another, and offer remote assistance. (Android Central, Android Authority, Indiegogo)
Honor 8S (rebranded from Huawei Y5 2019) is launched in Russia – 5.71” 1520×720 HD+ IPS, MediaTek Helio A22, rear 13MP + front 5MP, 2+32GB, Android 9.0, 3020mAh, no fingerprint scanner, RUB8,490 (USD130). (GizChina, Honor)
OPPO A9 is launched China – 6.53” 1080×2340 FHD+ IPS, MediaTek Helio P70, rear dual 16MP-2MP + front 16MP, 6+128GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 4020mAh, CNY1,799. (GSM Arena, OPPO)
Automotive
Rivian has announced an equity investment of USD500M from Ford Motor Company. In addition to the investment, the companies have agreed to work together to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio using Rivian’s skateboard platform. (Digital Trends, Engadget, Rivian, Ford, Auto Home, CN Beta)
Payment
Shopify is launching a new retail hardware collection, including three devices: The Shopify Tap & Chip Reader, Dock, and Retail Stand. The new retail hardware is designed from the ground up with merchants and customers in mind, to deliver an unmatched shopping experience. (TechCrunch, Shopify)
