Semiconductor News 20251217

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1. Samsung Close to Capturing Over 30% in HBM4 Memory Supply Contract for Nvidia
   Samsung Electronics is close to signing a contract to be responsible for over 30% of the HBM4 (6th generation high bandwidth memory) supplied to Nvidia in 2026. The company is said to have solved the yield problem of HBM3E and succeeded in stabilizing the quality of its 12-layer products, and is trying to regain its share of the HBM market, which had been dominated by SK Hynix. The company has also begun supplying HBM4 samples for a fee, clearly marking its return to power in the AI semiconductor supply chain.
2. Samsung Chairman Meets with AMD and Tesla Leaders to Discuss Collaboration
   Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong held a series of meetings with AMD CEO Lisa Su and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, where they discussed cooperation with AMD in next-generation chip manufacturing and memory technology, and with Tesla in the areas of chips for automated driving and foundries. This is a strategic move to deepen the “alliance” with Big Tech and expand the AI and automotive semiconductor business in order to compete with TSMC.
3. Intel Reorganizes Management Team and Appoints Trump Aide in Response to U.S. Government Investment
   Intel has reorganized its management team and strengthened its policy alignment in response to a confirmed investment from the U.S. government. Notably, Intel appointed a former economic advisor to the incoming Trump administration as senior vice president in charge of government affairs. This has allowed the company to strengthen its pipeline with Washington, ensure geopolitical support, and accelerate its restructuring in terms of both manufacturing technology and political power, including the completion of acceptance testing of second-generation High-NA EUV lithography equipment.
4. Apple braces for DRAM cost spike as Korean suppliers rev ise prices
   Apple is bracing for a spike in DRAM procurement costs heading into 2026 following contract price revisions by Korean memory suppliers such as Samsung As the amount of memory installed increases due to enhanced AI capabilities and supply shortages combined with rising prices are putting significant pressure on the component cost structure of key products such as iPhones. This is a sign that even Apple, with its strong purchasing power, cannot avoid the effects of the memory market’s “supercycle.
5. Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales to Break Record $156 Billion in 2027
   Global semiconductor equipment sales are projected to reach $156 billion in 2027, setting a new record. The AI boom is driving demand for a wide range of equipment, from front-end to back-end processing. Industry confidence is at record levels, while concerns about tight supply chains and infrastructure shortages are becoming more acute.
6. China Reports that Domestically Produced Equipment is Moving into the Core Technology of the 1.4nm Process
   Chinese media reported that domestically produced semiconductor manufacturing equipment is moving into the core of the 1.4nm process. While U.S. export restrictions make it difficult to obtain advanced equipment, Chinese companies such as Naura are increasing the resilience of their supply chains through M&A and technology development. If true, this would be a significant breakthrough to break through the Western technology blockade and could affect the composition of future advanced process competition.
7. Rapidus Deploys IBM’s Manufacturing Execution System at its Hokkaido Plant
   Rapidus of Japan has installed IBM’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) at its IIM-1 semiconductor manufacturing site in Chitose, Hokkaido. This is the core system for mass production of 2nm generation logic semiconductors, and indicates that the partnership with IBM has deepened beyond the provision of design technology to the actual manufacturing operation level.
8. PC Makers to Raise Product Prices in Q1 2026 in Response to Rising Memory Prices Major PC makers such as Acer and ASUS will reportedly follow Dell’s lead and pass on higher memory costs to product prices in Q1 2026. The price of DRAM and SSDs has reached its limit, and hardware price hikes are inevitable. The side effects of the AI boom are beginning to have a direct impact on the consumer market, with the possibility of seasonal demand distortions in the notebook market also being noted. ,,
9. STMicro and Space X Celebrate 10 Years of Cooperation, Supply Dedicated Starlink Chips
   STMicroelectronics and SpaceX are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their cooperation, and have reported on their technological innovations, including the supply of dedicated chips for the Starlink satellite communications network. The growing importance of semiconductor technology to withstand the harsh environment of space and the expansion of satellite constellations indicate that the space industry is becoming a growth market of a scale that semiconductor manufacturers cannot ignore.
10. Toshiba Introduces Siemens EDA Software for Semiconductor Design Innovation
    Toshiba Corporation announced today that it will introduce Siemens electronic design automation (EDA) software to accelerate the digital transformation (DX) of its semiconductor designs. The aim is to improve design efficiency and quality of power semiconductors and automotive devices. The move is aimed at shortening development cycles and securing technological superiority in the increasingly competitive power electronics market through the use of digital twin technology and other technologies.

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