01. Memory Spot Price Update: NAND Demand Rebounds as Samsung Halts Small-Capacity MLC Production
TrendForce's latest report on memory spot prices indicates that NAND flash demand is recovering, especially for small-capacity MLC products, following Samsung's decision to halt production of these chips. This has led to an increase in MLC eMMC prices. Meanwhile, DDR5 DRAM prices are also rising due to a shortage of overclockable chips from SK hynix, which are in high demand for gaming notebooks. Conversely, DDR4 DRAM prices remain weak due to oversupply. Spot prices for large-capacity NAND wafers are also seeing increases as low-priced inventories are absorbed in the market.
02. SEMI: Global Silicon Wafer Shipments Fell 2.7% in 2024, Recovery Momentum Emerging
According to a report released by SEMI's Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG), global shipments of silicon wafers decreased by 2.7% in 2024 to 12.266 billion square inches, with sales falling 6.5% to $11.5 billion. The decline was due to weak demand in certain segments, affecting wafer fab utilization rates and shipments for specific applications. However, the global demand for silicon wafers began to recover in the second half of 2024 from the industry downturn of 2023, and this recovery is expected to continue into 2025, with stronger improvements anticipated in the second half of the year. SEMI SMG Chairman and GlobalWafers Vice President, Li Chongwei, stated that generative AI and new data center construction have been driving forces for advanced fabs and storage devices like HBM, while most other end markets are still recovering from excess inventory.
03. STMicroelectronics Brings Higher Performance Cloud Optical Interconnect Technology for Data Centers and AI Clusters
STMicroelectronics recently announced a new technology aimed at providing higher performance cloud optical interconnect solutions for data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) clusters. This technology leverages advanced optical interconnect methods to significantly increase data transfer rates and reduce energy consumption, thereby supporting larger-scale data processing and analysis, which is crucial for the growing applications of cloud computing and AI.
04. Declining Performance of Analog Chip Makers, Hopes for Recovery in 2025
Several analog chip companies, including ADI, reported declines in revenue and net profit, indicating a lack of market recovery. ADI's Q1 revenue and net profit dropped by 4% and 18%, respectively. While the consumer products business saw a 19% increase, industrial and automotive sectors experienced declines. The global semiconductor downturn has impacted inventory adjustments, with China's market, especially the automotive sector, driving growth. Opinions on a 2025 market recovery vary, with some anticipating a rebound and others believing it's too soon. Companies are also pursuing strategies like localized production and AI integration to boost growth.
05. Acer to Increase Laptop Prices by 10% in the U.S. Due to Tariffs
The Trump administration began imposing a 10% tariff on imported goods from China on February 3, 2025. In response, Acer has announced that it will increase the prices of its laptops and Chromebooks sold in the U.S. by 10% starting in March. This price hike is aimed at offsetting the increased import costs resulting from the new tariffs.
Acer's CEO, Jason Chen, stated that the price adjustment is necessary to reflect the higher import costs due to the tariffs. He also mentioned that the company is exploring options to move production out of China and Taiwan to mitigate the impact of the tariffs. This price increase will only apply to products shipped to the U.S. after February 2025.
Other laptop manufacturers may also adjust their prices in response to the tariffs. For example, Asus has already raised the price of its ROG Flow Z13 tablet during pre-sales.
06. Intel's 18A Process Takes the Lead, TSMC's N2 Faces Competition
On February 19, TrendForce reported that Joseph Bonetti, Intel's Chief Engineering Program Manager, stated on LinkedIn that Intel's cooperation with TSMC was a "bad mistake," emphasizing that Intel's 18A process is more advanced. He pointed out that Intel's 18A process is nearing completion, with the first product, the Panther Lake processor, set to enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Microsoft and Amazon have confirmed that they will be early adopters.
Bonetti also mentioned that Intel's 18A process employs PowerVia backside power delivery technology, which outperforms TSMC's N2 process. Although TSMC's N2 process has a slight advantage in transistor density, Intel's 18A process is more competitive in terms of performance and power consumption. Additionally, Intel has secured early access to ASML's high-NA EUV tool capacity, laying the foundation for future process development.