Apple is anticipated to release its lightest and thinnest smartphone, the iPhone 17 Air, next year, featuring the A19 chip, according to MacRumors. Industry sources cited by Economic Daily News reveal that TSMC will likely remain Apple’s exclusive supplier for high-end processors. TSMC’s 3nm production lines are running at full capacity, and its upcoming 2nm process, slated for mass production in 2025, has already been pre-booked by Apple.

Following Apple’s adoption of TSMC’s 3nm process for all iPhone 16 chips this year, the tech giant is reportedly planning to shift to even more advanced nodes to bolster AI capabilities. Other major clients, such as Intel with its Nova Lake platform, are also adopting TSMC’s 2nm process, resulting in a backlog of orders extending into 2026. Despite the 2nm node not yet entering mass production, market demand has already exceeded expectations.

Reports indicate that TSMC is considering expanding its 2nm capacity at its Southern Taiwan Science Park facility to meet growing demand. Apple has secured the initial 2nm production batch, while other clients, spurred by rapid AI advancements, are aggressively planning their adoption. Industry insiders suggest some 3nm production lines could be repurposed for 2nm manufacturing to accommodate demand.

TSMC’s 3nm Process Fully Booked

Previously, Commercial Times reported that TSMC’s 3nm production capacity was fully booked. According to industry sources, most smartphone chips in 2025 will be manufactured using TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, with Apple’s A19 Pro expected to adopt the N3P. Additionally, AI chip giants NVIDIA and AMD are expected to launch new products in the second half of next year, both built on TSMC’s 3nm process.

The same report from Commercial Times indicates that AMD’s MI350 series will leverage TSMC’s 3nm technology, marking a significant milestone in AI accelerator advancements. NVIDIA’s R-series GPUs are also set to utilize the 3nm process, though these products are slated for release in 2026.

Furthermore, the AI PC chip co-developed by MediaTek and NVIDIA is rumored to be based on the 3nm process, exacerbating concerns about tight capacity. According to the report, this product is expected to debut in Q2 next year, with mass production in Q3. Meanwhile, Intel’s Lunar Lake chips, also based on 3nm, will primarily rely on TSMC for manufacturing.

(Photo credit: TSMC)

Is the thinner iPhone in history on the road? Apple Insider suggests that Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup may debut a redesigned model with a remarkable thickness of just 6mm. Industry analysts cited by another report from the Economic Daily News are optimistic that TSMC will remain the sole processor manufacturer for the latest iPhones.

As per tradition, the iPhone 17 series is anticipated to be unveiled in September 2025. The Economic Daily News further notes that the slim model may adopt TSMC’s 3nm node.

Even before the release of this year’s iPhone 16 series, there has been widespread speculation that Apple is preparing to introduce a lightweight and slim model called either the “iPhone 17 Slim” or the “iPhone 17 Air.” Now the rumors seem to be more credible, as more details have surfaced.

According to Apple Insider, Apple is rumored to replace its current Plus lineup with the redesigned iPhone 17 Slim, probably with a 6.6-inch display, single rear camera, and a titanium-aluminum alloy to enhance its structural integrity and prevent bending.

However, the most intriguing part would be its thinness. Compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, which measures 7.8mm thick, the iPhone 17 Slim is said to have a chassis just 6mm thin.

It is worth noting that though this would make it the thinnest iPhone ever released, it wouldn’t claim the title of Apple’s thinnest device, according to Apple Insider. The throne reportedly belongs to the 2024 iPad Pro, powered by the M4 chip, with a remarkably slim 5.1mm profile.

As for why the slim iPhone cannot be thinner than the iPad, the Economic Daily News report indicates that the reason may lie in the battery. Due to cost and technical considerations, the battery Apple plans to use on iPhone cannot be made any thinner. Nevertheless, it may adopt a thinner Resin-Coated Copper (RCC) motherboard to reduce thickness, the report notes.

Read more

• [News] TSMC Reportedly Begins Small-Scale Production in Arizona for Apple’s A16 with the N4P Node
• [News] Apple is Reportedly Developing M5 Chips, Boosting Orders for TSMC’s Advanced Processes

(Photo credit: Apple)

On November 13, at Semicon Europe 2024 in Munich, Germany, China’s silicon carbide (SiC) substrate manufacturer, SICC, announced the launch of the industry’s first 300mm (12-inch) silicon carbide substrate. This marks a significant step into the era of ultra-large silicon carbide substrates.

SICC stated that the 12-inch silicon carbide substrate material can significantly expand the usable area for chip manufacturing on a single wafer, greatly increasing the yield of qualified chips. Under equivalent production conditions, this innovation boosts output, reduces unit costs, and enhances economic benefits, paving the way for broader applications of silicon carbide materials.

Current Status of Silicon Carbide Substrates: 12-Inch Emerges, 8-Inch Accelerates Adoption

The global silicon carbide substrate market is highly competitive, with international companies like Wolfspeed, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, and ON Semiconductor leading the industry. In China, SICC has developed the capability to produce the industry’s largest 12-inch silicon carbide substrates and has achieved stable mass production of 8-inch substrates.

Besides SICC, companies such as Semisic, Synlight Crystal, and TankeBlue also possess 8-inch silicon carbide substrate production capabilities. Other players are engaged in research and development in the silicon carbide substrate field, though they may not yet have achieved mass production of 8-inch or larger substrates.

According to prior research by TrendForce, the current market share of 8-inch silicon carbide substrates is less than 2%, but this figure is projected to grow to approximately 15% by 2026.

Targeting Ultra-Large Substrates: The Next Step for Silicon Carbide

With the rapid development of industries such as electric vehicles, photovoltaic energy storage, 5G communications, and high-voltage smart grids, the demand for silicon carbide-based devices capable of operating under high-power, high-voltage, and high-frequency conditions has surged. Silicon carbide substrates, as a critical upstream material, are increasingly vital.

Industry experts highlight that larger silicon carbide substrates offer a greater surface area, enabling the production of more chips on a single substrate, thereby improving production efficiency. Additionally, large-size substrates reduce edge waste, helping to lower the cost per chip.

In terms of substrate size:

4-inch substrates are primarily used for gallium nitride RF devices.

6-inch substrates are the mainstream product for conductive silicon carbide markets.

8-inch substrates are increasingly adopted, with industry leaders like Wolfspeed and Infineon successfully developing and establishing 8-inch production lines. Compared to 6-inch substrates, 8-inch ones offer higher efficiency and lower costs.

12-inch substrates, though not yet widely applied, are expected to become a key development focus as technological advancements and cost reductions continue in the future.

(Photo credit: Synlight)

It is not just the chip business that’s critical to national security. Following private equity firm MBK Partners’ attempt to acquire Korea Zinc, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has officially recognized the non-ferrous metal smelting giant’s high-nickel precursor manufacturing tech as a national core technology on November 18th.

The move, according to the Chosun Daily, is aimed to give South Korean battery manufacturers a competitive edge over their Chinese counterparts, underscoring the technology’s strategic significance in enhancing energy density in advanced batteries.

While the designation mandates government approval for any overseas sales, it is creating a substantial obstacle for private equity firm MBK Partners, the report suggests.

Top Zinc Smelting Company, with Strategic Importance

Precursors, the report further explains, are compounds created by combining nickel, cobalt, and manganese, with high-nickel varieties containing more than 80% nickel.

It is worth noting that over 90% of precursors in South Korea are currently imported from China, notes the Chosun Daily. Korea Zinc’s push to locally mass-produce high-nickel precursors is, therefore, considered crucial for the country’s economic and national security interests.

Another report by the Korea Herald also brings up Korea Zinc’s importance to the country, for the company has established the benchmark treatment charge for zinc since the late 2000s, which is the fee earned by smelters for transforming mined concentrates into metal.

According to the Korea Herald, Korea Zinc currently holds the crown as the world’s largest zinc smelting company by output capacity, surpassing Belgium’s Nyrstar and Switzerland’s Glencore. Additionally, it is the largest global buyer of zinc concentrates, purchasing 1.4 million tons annually, the report says.

Ownership Battle between MBK Partners and Korea Zinc

MBK Partners, a well-known North Asia-focused equity firm, is also known for its strategy of reselling acquired companies, which may raise South Korea’s concerns and prompted the government to take action.

A previous report by the Korea Economic Daily notes that the MBK has teamed up with Korea Zinc’s largest shareholder Young Poong Corp, kicking off a tender offer on September 13^th to acquire a controlling stake in the company. To counter the acquisition bid, Korea Zinc has joined forces with U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital, according to the Korea Economic Daily.

As of November 5^th, the MBK coalition holds a 39.83% stake, while Korea Zinc’s allies were estimated to have secured 35.33%, according to the Korea Economic Daily.

Citing critics as well as Korea Zinc’s labor union, the Chosun Daily report brings up the possibility that MBK might sell the company to foreign entities, particularly Chinese investors, though MBK has denied these claims. Now, the government’s designation adds complexity to potential exit strategies for MBK.

Industry insiders cited by the report believe that MBK may face difficulty finding domestic buyers willing to pay the estimated 8 trillion won (USD 6 billion) for its stake in Korea Zinc. Analysts cited also suggest that MBK may consider alternative strategies, such as divesting non-core assets or focusing on generating dividend income.

One potential approach, according to the Chosun Daily, could involve spinning off Korea Zinc’s precursor technology into a separate entity while selling off its core zinc smelting operations, which would allow MBK to retain control of the technology within South Korea while monetizing other business units.

(Photo credit: Korea Zinc)

According to a report from BNN Bloomberg, while Tesla is preparing to launch its Full Self-Driving technology in the Chinese market in the first quarter of next year, Chinese automakers are unveiling their own self-driving models, equipped with advanced autonomous driving features and artificial intelligence.

The report highlights that last week, Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun livestreamed a test drive of  its SU7 EV. The demonstration showcased the vehicle’s ability to travel seamlessly “from parking spot to parking spot,” meaning it started from one parking space to another at the destination, utilizing smart driving technology throughout the journey.

According to the report, Xiaomi’s SU7 EV draws inspiration from Tesla’s end-to-end technology. It uses cameras and AI to make real-time driving decisions, instead of relying on engineers to program rules for driving simulation.

Xiaomi Chairman Lei stated that this smart driving technology represents the most advanced assisted-driving system available today. While it was originally introduced by Tesla in the U.S. in January, Chinese EV manufacturers are accelerating their efforts to catch up, as the repot notes.

The report indicates that despite ongoing concerns about the safety and reliability of driver-assistance systems — with Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD facing lawsuits and federal safety investigations — many in the industry see autonomous driving as the future of transportation. Companies are rushing to develop this technology to stay ahead of their competitors.

At the Guangzhou Auto Show in China, Geely Automobile’s premium EV brand, Zeekr, unveiled version 2.0 of its smart-driving solution. The report indicates that this advanced system features end-to-end technology and is set to roll out urban navigation across China by year-end. Zeekr is also considering introducing its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) in the global market in the future, as the report notes.

According to the report, Chen Qi from Zeekr, who used to be the leader of Huawei’s autonomous driving team, mentioned that Tesla’s FSD will increase competition for Chinese EV makers but sees this as a positive development that can boost innovation. He also pointed out that China’s unique road conditions and regulatory environment may pose challenges for Tesla’s technology to adapt immediately.

Geely’s joint venture with Baidu, Jidu Auto—known as Jiyue in China—has unveiled its AI-powered electric hypercar, the Robo X. The report mentions that the model can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 1.9 seconds and offers a range of 650 kilometers (403 miles) on a single charge.

According to the report, although the price of the Robo X has not yet been decided, customers can place an order with a deposit of RMB 49,999 (approximately USD 6,900).

The report highlights that other Chinese automakers, including Xpeng, Li Auto, and Great Wall Motor also showcased their latest intelligent-driving models at the Guangzhou Auto Show event.

Read more

• [News] Chinese EV Maker XPeng Tapes out Latest In-House Chip, Boasting Triple the Computing Power of its Rivals
• [News] China Urges EV Manufacturers to Keep Key Technologies from Leaving the Country

(Photo credit: Xiaomi)