Semiconductor News 20251215

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1. Global Semiconductor Sales Easily Surpass $ 70 Billion in October 2025
   Global semiconductor sales easily surpassed $70 billion in October 2025, as AI-related demand continues to drive the market strongly, with some institutions forecasting full-year sales in 2025 to exceed $800 billion. Some organizations are forecasting full-year sales to exceed $800 billion by 2025. In addition to explosive demand for GPUs and memory for data centers, the overall market is experiencing a super-cycle, and the figures confirm that the semiconductor industry is on a growth trajectory of unprecedented scale.
2. Japan to Cooperate in U.S.-led AI Supply Chain Alliance “P ax Silica”
   Japan, South Korea, and other countries have shown their cooperation toward the declaration of “Pax Silica,” a U.S.-led initiative to build a supply network for the new AI era. The alliance aims to strengthen and complete the supply chain from semiconductor manufacturing to AI development in Western countries. From the perspective of economic security, the establishment of a public-private consultative body in FY2026, including a confidentiality agreement for civilians, is also planned, moving the technological encirclement against China to a more comprehensive stage.
3. Samsung Aff iliate Invests in Materials Company Founded in Japan by Former Huawei Engine er
   A Samsung-affiliated venture capital firm has invested in a semiconductor materials development startup founded in Japan by a former Huawei engineer. The company develops advanced materials essential for the manufacture of next-generation semiconductors. As the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies, Japan serves as a neutral zone for technology development, and this is a strategic move by Samsung to incorporate Japanese technological capabilities in order to diversify its supply chain and strengthen its advanced process competitiveness.
4. China Reports Domestic Equipment Making Inroads in Core 1.4nm Process Technology
   In China’s semiconductor industry, it has been reported that domestically produced manufacturing equipment is making inroads in the core 1.4nm process. Under the circumstances where advanced equipment such as EUV is difficult to obtain due to strict U.S. export restrictions, Chinese companies may be achieving breakthroughs through their own technological innovations. If true, this would be a significant achievement that would neutralize the West’s technology blockade and fundamentally change the competitive environment for future ultra-fine processes.
5. Hon Hai (Foxconn) Declares It Is “De-Assembling Shop” by Manufacturing AI Server Components In-House
   Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) has emphasized that it is not just an assembler in its AI server business, but is also moving to manufacture key components in-house. With its stock price at an all-time high, the company is touting its ability to manufacture high-margin components, such as cooling systems and enclosures. This indicates that the EMS (contract manufacturing) giant is transforming its business model into a higher value-added technology provider to take advantage of the growing demand for AI infrastructure.
6. China’s A-Share Market Stalls Semiconductor M&As Due to Price Negotiation St alemate
   A series of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of semiconductor-related companies have been halted or canceled in China’s A-share market. This is due to the difficulty in agreeing on corporate valuations and the “deadlock in price negotiations” caused by intensifying market volatility. There have also been reports of companies with consecutive years of losses abandoning acquisitions, highlighting the situation in which the state-led restructuring and strengthening of China’s semiconductor industry has been temporarily put on hold by the turmoil in the financial markets.
7. Cloud giants compete to surround startups with AI infrastructure as their main battleground
   Cloud giants (hyperscalers) such as Amazon and Microsoft are competing to win the use of promising startups with AI infrastructure as their main battleground. The race for market share in the infrastructure layer, which is the “undercarriage” of AI development, is accelerating through massive investments and alliances.
8. Industry Outlook 2026, “Clear skies” forecast for semiconductors and displays
   According to the industrial weather map for 2026 compiled by Korea’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Resources and other organizations, the semiconductor and display industries are expected to be “clear skies,” with the semiconductor market particularly strong due to continued demand growth from the AI boom. On the other hand, the petrochemicals and steel industries are forecast to be “cloudy” due to oversupply and sluggish demand, creating a clear divide between the two industries. AI conversion (AX) in materials, components, and equipment companies is also progressing rapidly.
9. Samsung “Trifold” Sells Too Much, Production and Supply Worries
   Samsung’s “Trifold” tri-fold smartphone has been an unexpected hit, but the company is reportedly in a “no laughing matter” situation. This is because demand is far exceeding production capacity and the company is facing supply shortages and quality maintenance challenges. While the market response to innovative form factors has been enthusiastic, the manufacturing difficulty and supply chain strain associated with launching mass production of new technologies is a risk factor for lost opportunities.
10. Microsoft Copilot on LG TVs and Cannot Be Removed
    Microsoft’s Copilot, a Microsoft-generated AI, is now on LG TVs, but it turns out that users cannot remove it. As AI integration into smart appliances continues to grow, this reveals a forceful strategy by tech companies to secure a point of contact in the living room. In the name of increased convenience, this suggests a current situation where platform expansion is prioritized over user choice and privacy concerns.

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