Semiconductor News 20260110

Main News

1. Nvidia “Vera Rubin” and HBM4 Competition Intensifies
   As discussions continue regarding the production schedule for Nvidia’s next-generation Vera Rubin GPU, the company is accelerating its race to introduce HBM4 (6th generation broadband memory). to SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron, The evolution of memory technology, driven by AI demand, has entered a new phase, with increasing impact on the entire supply chain.
2. Intel, Trump Administration Support and New “14A” Process Focus
   Intel’s stock price rose sharply. The company was well received after President-elect Trump met with CEO Gelsinger and expressed his support for boosting semiconductor production in the U.S. The launch of the new “Panther Lake” chip was also praised. Furthermore, the company’s CEO spoke of the company’s full focus on the cutting-edge “14A” process and expressed his extraordinary determination to rebuild the foundry business and win customers.
3. SanDisk to Double Enterprise SSD Prices
   Western Digital-owned SanDisk reportedly plans to double the price of 3D NAND used in enterprise SSDs in the first quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in data storage demand due to the AI boom. Furthermore, the company is reportedly seeking upfront cash transactions from customers to guarantee long-term NAND supply, underscoring the tight supply-demand balance and seller dominance in the storage market.
4. TSMC Considering Transfer of Mature Processes to Singapore
   TSMC reportedly plans to transfer its manufacturing equipment for mature processes in Taiwan to a plant in Singapore. This is seen as part of the company’s move to redeploy and withdraw resources in line with the expansion of its advanced plant in Arizona, USA. On the other hand, while December revenues declined due to seasonal factors, the company has achieved solid growth for the full year 2025, and its strategy is to both optimize its global manufacturing footprint and maintain profitability.
5. Lithography Restructuring in China and Shenzhen EUV Operation
   Chinese semiconductor equipment manufacturer AMIES has acquired a SMEE affiliate and is restructuring its domestic exposure technology. A prototype extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tool was reportedly started up in Shenzhen, sharpening the country’s stance against the “silicon curtain” technology blockade by Western countries; domestic production and financing are accelerating, including an IPO plan for GPU maker Iluvatar CoreX; and the Chinese government is also pushing for a new EUV lithography system in Shenzhen.
6. Canon takes advantage of NAND shortage to chase ASML
   Canon Inc. is stepping up its offensive, seeing the shortage of NAND flash memory due to rising demand for AI data centers as a commercial opportunity. The company aims to steal market share from ASML, the largest player, in areas such as KrF lithography equipment, a field in which the company excels. lamination technology is crucial for 3D NAND production, and Canon’s equipment with its superior cost performance may be reevaluated. Japanese companies are trying to make their presence felt with niche-top technologies.
7. Tokyo Electron to Increase Capital Expenditures 48% to Record High
   Tokyo Electron, Japan’s leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer, reportedly plans to increase its capital expenditures for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) by 48% over the previous year to a record high level. In particular, the company expects demand for equipment for the DRAM etch process to increase, and is betting on increased production capacity to meet the explosion in demand for AI memory. This is an aggressive investment strategy based on the belief that a semiconductor market super-cycle has arrived.
8. Apple’s Head of Hardware Emerges as Candidate for Next CEO
   John Tarnas, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has reportedly emerged as a potential successor to CEO Tim Cook. The move comes as the board of directors prepares for a management succession. Tarnas has led the development of key products such as the iPhone and iPad, and it is increasingly likely that a leader with a technical background will helm the next generation of Apple.
9. Qualcomm signs long-term supply deal with VW to expand automotive sector
   Qualcomm has signed a long-term supply agreement with Volkswagen AG (VW) to supply chips for in-vehicle infotainment and connectivity. At CES 2026, the company announced an expansion of its automotive partnerships, accelerating the transition to AI-powered “software-defined vehicles” (SDVs). The company is steadily expanding the application of AI technology from the smartphone market to the automotive industry.
10. Thai Government Formulates First National Semiconductor Strategy
    The Thai government has announced that it has formulated the country’s first-ever national semiconductor strategy, aiming to attract investment worth over 12 trillion yen. The strategy aims to establish Thailand as a new manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, taking advantage of supply chain restructuring due to the conflict between the U.S. and China. In addition, Japan’s Mie Prefecture has seven times the investment attractiveness of Tokyo, highlighting the current situation in which the semiconductor industry is both revitalizing local economies and attracting global investment money.

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