01. Institutions Predict a 70% Increase in HBM Shipments by 2025
On the 25th, the "Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily" reported that according to a TechInsights report, with the development of AI technology, especially the increase in data-intensive applications such as machine learning and deep learning, the demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) has risen sharply. It is expected that by 2025, HBM shipments will increase by 70% year-on-year. This growth will drive the reshaping of the DRAM market landscape, with manufacturers prioritizing the production of HBM to meet the demand for low-latency, high-bandwidth memory solutions in data centers and AI processors.
02. The Price of KIOXIA 2TB SSD Fell Below 15,000 yen, and Some Models were Out of Stock and Increased Significantly
On December 25, a survey by Junichi Sato and AKIBA PC Hotline! revealed significant price shifts in HDDs, SSDs, memory, and CPUs in Akihabara. The KIOXIA 2TB SSD has fallen below 15,000 yen, particularly among high-speed models, with increased promotions. However, some models face price hikes and stock shortages due to high demand.
Key price movements include:
·Crucial T705 2TB SSD at 42,980 yen;
·Crucial T700 4TB SSD priced at 75,900 yen;
·MSI SPATIUM M570 2TB SSD at 39,800 yen;
·ADATA LEGEND 970 1TB SSD at 28,358 yen;
·Western Digital WD Black SN850X 2TB SSD down to 23,980 yen;
·Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB SSD at 44,980 yen;
·Kingston NV3 2TB SSD increased to 17,980 yen;
·KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G3 2TB SSD significantly reduced to 14,979 yen, the lowest in its category.
Stock shortages and price increases are noted for:
·Crucial T500 1TB SSD rising to 13,800 yen due to limited inventory;
·Crucial P310 SSDs (500GB and 2TB) out of stock;
·Western Digital WD Red SN700 2TB SSD at 34,180 yen, with some retailers out of stock.
03. Murata to Acquire Sensoride to Enhance Radar Technology for Automotive and Robotics Sectors
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has announced that its subsidiary, Murata Electronics North America, Inc., has agreed to acquire Sensoride Corporation. Founded in 2021, Sensoride is known for its development of high-resolution radar technology, primarily focused on automotive applications, robotics, and drones.
This strategic acquisition marks a significant step for Murata in enhancing its radar capabilities and advancing the development of innovative radar solutions. Sensoride’s radar technologies, which are capable of providing detailed environmental sensing, will complement Murata’s existing product offerings and enable the company to accelerate the expansion of its radar solutions for next-generation autonomous driving systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and robotics applications.
04. Samsung to Build 10nm 7th-generation DRAM Pilot Line at P2 Fab
Samsung Electronics will build a 10nm 7th-generation DRAM (1d DRAM) pilot line at its P2 fab in Pyeongtaek to strengthen its competitive position and improve the yield of next-generation products. Construction is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2025. While the exact production scale of the 1d DRAM line is unclear, industry estimates suggest the pilot line will have a monthly capacity of around 10,000 wafers.
This pilot line is part of Samsung’s strategy to prepare for the mass production of 1c DRAM in 2025, followed by 1d DRAM in 2026. The decision to establish this pilot line while preparing for 1c DRAM mass production reflects Samsung’s aggressive development strategy.
05. Demand for AI Smartphones Expected to Bring New Growth Opportunities for the Semiconductor Industry
The semiconductor industry is seeking new growth points due to the potential slowdown in global data center investments. On December 26, 2024, Doug Lefever, CEO of Nvidia supplier Advantest, proposed that the demand for AI smartphones will drive industry growth. Despite strong investment by large technology companies in the AI field, potential slowdowns in data center investments could impact the semiconductor supply chain. Lefever is optimistic about the future of AI smartphones, believing that once there are breakthrough applications, the market will see rapid growth. Currently, several manufacturers have launched AI phones, and it is anticipated that AI features will become a significant trend in the smartphone market.
06. Apple's M5 Chip Set to Launch with Major Packaging Technology Upgrade
On December 23, 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities revealed the latest developments of Apple's M5 series of chips. The M5 chip has been in the prototype phase for several months and is expected to enter mass production and hit the market as early as the first half of 2024. The M5 Pro/Max and M5 Ultra are anticipated to begin mass production as early as the second half of 2025, with the entire series expected to debut by 2026 at the latest. Compared to its predecessors, the M5 chip has only undergone minor optimizations in the manufacturing process, not adopting TSMC's 2nm process technology, but instead being built on TSMC's third-generation 3nm process technology (N3P). Despite the modest process optimization, the M5 series of chips has achieved significant breakthroughs in packaging technology, especially with the M5 Pro, Max, and Ultra, which will employ SoIC packaging technology used in server-grade chips. This will enable the chips to achieve higher integration and lower power consumption.