IF / News

Qualcomm’s next generation SoC Snapdragon 898 is allegedly using Samsung’s 4nm process, which may offer 20% improved performance. The SoC is reportedly to be launched in winter 2021. It will feature a three-cluster architecture. It will include a super-large core based on Cortex-X2, a large core based on Cortex-A710, and a small core based on Cortex-A510. All these new designs will be under the ARM v9 Pure 64-bit system. There will also be a Snapdragon 898+ SoC which should be launched in 2H22. (Laoyaoba, My Drivers, Sina, Gizmo China)

Samsung is using artificial intelligence to automate the insanely complex and subtle process of designing cutting-edge computer chips. Samsung is using AI features in new software from Synopsys, a leading chip design software firm used by many companies. Synopsys has another valuable asset for crafting AI-designed chips: years of cutting-edge semiconductor designs that can be used to train an AI algorithm. (CN Beta, Wired, SlashDot)

According to DigiTimes, TSMC’s 3nm process is on track for volume production in 2H22, further extending the foundry’s lead over rivals Samsung and Intel. Apple will allegedly be the only client of the cutting-edge process in 2022. Apple will leverage the technology in its Bionic A16 SoCs for the next (to next) generation of iPhones and later on in its Mac PCs. TSMC is unlikely to fulfill 3nm chip orders placed by Intel until 2023, alleges TSMC, further adding that Apple will remain the foundry’s premier customer in adopting its most advanced process technology. (Gizmo China, Digitimes, Hardware Times)

TSMC’s primary supplier for cleanroom equipment for the company’s planned facility in the United States is expected to undergo a serious management shakeup. TSMC had partnered up with Jiangxi Hantang System Integration, its longtime cleanroom equipment supplier, to equip the new fab planned to be completed in the American state of Arizona. The shifts in management at Hantang might come if a bid to replace the company‘s current management by its largest shareholders comes to fruition. (Phone Arena, WCCFTech, UDN)

BOE confirms that it is the exclusive supplier of Honor Magic3 series display. The Magic3 series comes with a 6.76” flexible OLED display with an 89° hyper-curved surface design. This display also supports a 120Hz high refresh rate, DCI-P3 color gamut, 1.07B colors, ΔE<0.8, and HDR10+ certification. (Gizmo China, GizChina, My Drivers)

TCL Group founder and CEO Li Dongsheng has revealed that in next decade, TCL will be a global leader in the 3 industries of semiconductor namely display, photovoltaic and materials. The standard is scale and competitiveness, and business performance to enter the top 3 of the industry. (Laoyaoba, Sohu, Sina, Min.news)

Samsung Display (SDC) has announced its latest OLED panel, the Eco²OLED, which increase light output by 33% compared to SDC’s previous OLED panels. The increase light translates into a power consumption reduction of up to 25%. For the Eco²OLED panel, Samsung finally managed to commercialize a polarizer-free OLED. (CN Beta, Samsung Display, OLED-Info)

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has divided the investment strategy of Apple’s Mini LED trend into 5 stages. In the first stage, changes in the screen production yield and shipping schedule will significantly affect the valuation of the stocks of the “first batch of suppliers”, so the suppliers will work to improve the product yield; In the second stage, in order to diversify the supply risk and to reduce product costs, Apple will actively look for a second supplier of key mini-LED components, and the proportion of shipments will increase significantly; In the third stage, mini-LED panel shipments are mainly driven by MacBooks, not iPads. At this stage Apple computers equipped with mini-LED panels emerge; In the fourth stage, a large number of manufacturers will follow Apple’s strategy of promoting mini-LEDs; In the fifth stage, the production cost of mini-LEDs will be significantly improved in 2023-2024. (Mac Rumors, TF Securities, My Drivers, CN Beta)

Yole Développement envisions a growing future for the CIS industry at 5.7% CAGR. This growth is showing tighter links to the growth of semiconductor in general. Sony has ended 2020 with a 40% market share in the CIS market, 2% lower than 2019. Meanwhile, Samsung has witnessed an increase of 1% in its market share from 21% in 2019. In 2020, Samsung held a 22% market share in the CIS industry. Omnivision has secured the third spot with a 12% market share. (CN Beta, Yole Development, The Elec)

O-Film has revealed that the 100MP 7P optical lens has been mass-produced, and multi-performance products such as telephoto lenses, macro lenses, and ultra-wide-angle lenses have entered the lens supply chain of mainstream domestic mobile phone manufacturers. At the same time, the 8P lens project has also been successfully developed and is currently in the trial production stage. (Laoyaoba, CN Beta, Sohu)

Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore believes that a large amount of demand under the shortage of chips has begun to callback, supply is catching up with demand, price trends may start to reverse downward from 2022, especially in the DRAM storage industry. Distributors have stated that since July 2021, both NAND Flash and DRAM have experienced a 30-40% decline. However, the original manufacturer has stated that it is impossible for such a big drop to occur at once. If there is, it may only be caused by the dealer dumping the goods. (Laoyaoba, Wall Street CN, Street Insider)

OPPO’s patent titled “Venous Unlocking Method and Vein Unlocking Device” describes a biometric system similar to facial recognition or fingerprint scanning but one that maps the veins on the users’ hands. The system can be expected to map and record vein thickness to verify identity and grant access. (Gizmo China, CNIPA, TechNave, Funtitech)

Prices of a series of realme smartphones including realme 8 5G, Narzo 30 4G, C21, and C25s in India have been hiked by INR500. However, Flipkart and realme websites are selling the phones at their old prices, meaning the new hiked price is exclusive to offline stores only. (Gizmo China, 91Mobiles, MySmartPrice)

China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) shows that from Jan to Jul 2021, the total number of mobile phone shipments in the Chinese market hit 203M units, a YoY increase of 15.6%. Out of the 203M units, 151M units are 5G smartphones. the cumulative Chinese 5G mobile phone shipments have reached 327M units. (GizChina, My Drivers, CAICT, CAICT)

Samsung Canada has introduced a new online portal for Galaxy users. The new “Your Service” portal allows users to easily schedule a door-to-door repair, get technical help from Samsung experts, and track the status of a device in transit. It is available for both In and Out-of-Warranty Galaxy users. (Android Central, Samsung)

OPPO A16s is announced in Netherlands – 6.5” 720×1600 HD+ v-notch, MediaTek Helio G35, rear tri 13MP-2MP macro-2MP monochrome + front 8MP, 4+64GB, Android 11.0, side fingerprint, 5000mAh, EUR149. (GSM Arena, OPPO, AN, TechAndroids)

Honor X20 5G debuts in China – 6.67” 1080×2376 FHD+ HiD IPS, MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G, rear tri 64MP-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 16MP, 6+128 / 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 11.0, side fingerprint, 4300mAh 66W, CNY1,899 (USD293) / CNY2,199 (USD339) / CNY2,499 (USD386).  (GSM Arena, 91Mobiles, Gizmo China)

The Matter smart home connectivity standard, which is backed by Apple, Google, and other tech companies, has been delayed until 2022. Matter is an ambitious project seeking to unify smart home devices under a single protocol and was expected to launch later in 2021. However, it has been delayed until 2H22 due to issues surrounding COVID-19 and implementing the universal standard. (Apple Insider, CN Beta, Zigbee Alliance)