According to the news reports from money.udn, which indicate that Foxconn, the prominent tech manufacturer, has clinched a substantial contract to supply Apple with AI servers, marking a monumental stride into the Apple AI server market. Notably, these servers will be dispatched from Foxconn’s manufacturing facility in Vietnam, positioning it as a pivotal player in Taiwan’s burgeoning AI sector.

While Foxconn traditionally refrains from commenting on individual clients and order specifics, market insiders reveal that Foxconn is not only the foremost assembler of Apple iPhones but also a crucial supplier of data center servers. As Apple charges ahead in the realm of AI applications, necessitating heightened support from AI servers, Foxconn’s stronghold in the AI server market has positioned it as Apple’s preferred collaborator due to its longstanding partnership.

Insiders indicate that Apple’s directive has prompted Foxconn to exclusively ship AI servers to Apple via its subsidiary, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), stationed in Vietnam.

Market research firms report that Foxconn currently holds a substantial global server market share of approximately 43%. This prominence not only establishes Foxconn as a manufacturing leader but also as the primary supplier to Amazon, the global cloud services (CSP) frontrunner. Having already supplied AI servers for ChatGPT and NVIDIA, and with primary customer Google rapidly venturing into generative AI, along with Apple’s recent strategic foray, Foxconn is poised for a surge in server business orders.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, recently confirmed Apple’s longstanding involvement in various AI technologies, including generative AI, while emphasizing the current surge of resources into AI development. With Apple’s R&D expenditure rising to $22.61 billion last quarter, experts speculate that a significant portion has been allocated to AI development.

Moreover, international sources report that Apple is discreetly crafting the “Ajax” large-scale language model, potentially heralding the arrival of the generative chatbot “SiriGPT” in the near future. With Apple’s vast user base across the globe, abundant data resources could pose a threat to rivals such as Google and Microsoft.

Industry pundits assert that Apple’s extensive global user feedback from devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs, combined with the mature ecosystem of the App Store, endows it with a strategic advantage in AI application development. Swiftly advancing AI server and data center deployment could enable Apple to navigate the curve and surge ahead in this competitive race.

Foxconn’s Chairman previously expressed optimism in the growth potential of CSP and AI servers. With Foxconn’s server revenues reaching $1.1 trillion last year, the company’s status as a server manufacturing leader naturally aligns with this burgeoning demand. Industry estimates underscore the dramatic increase in Foxconn’s AI server-related orders, reaching several billion dollars. This positions Foxconn as the definitive victor in the current AI wave, solidifying its place at the forefront of global AI server leadership.

(Source: https://money.udn.com/money/story/5612/7351082)

According to the latest report from TrendForce, the primary factors influencing the global market share of notebook CPUs in 2024 can be categorized into “Architectural Design” and “Economic Factors.”

“Architectural Design” as a long-term factor affecting market share:

(1) Both AMD (AMD 3D V-Cache) and Intel (Intel Foveros Direct) may potentially integrate 3D packaging technology into notebook computers in the future.

(2) Apple’s M-series processors, using the Arm core architecture, as well as Intel processors, have adopted a big/little core hybrid design. AMD might also introduce this in the Ryzen 8000 series.

(3) Despite further advancements in processor technology by 2024, the notebook computer market remains highly sensitive to the cost for IT equipment.

“Economic Factors” as more immediate influencers of market share:

(1) Until 2024, a return to lower interest rates in the global economic environment could favor corporate expansion of capital expenditure. This could result in increased procurement of business-oriented notebook models, potentially allowing Intel to further expand its CPU market share beyond 70% in the business sector.

(2) Concerns about economic prospects among global citizens until 2024 could have significant negative implications for the consumer notebook computer market. With the restart of physical economic activities, the demand for consumer-oriented notebook models has declined from the high levels seen during the pandemic. Consequently, the consumer market demand outlook for 2024 remains uncertain. For AMD, which relies more on consumer market demand, changes in market share may be harder to predict compared to Intel.

In the post-pandemic era, AMD, Arm/Apple, and Intel are pursuing distinct technological competition strategies to capture market share in the personal computing market.

AMD:

(1) The Socket AM5 platform is poised to aid AMD CPUs in achieving substantial performance and efficiency gains.

(2) The AMD Ryzen 7040 incorporates an artificial intelligence engine to emphasize AI computing performance’s importance in the thin and light notebook market.

Arm/Apple:

(1) The M2 Ultra processor heralds Apple’s complete transition of personal computing products to the Arm core. Apple Mac computer products will no longer be sold with Intel processor.

(2) The Apple M-series processors, built on the Arm core architecture, facilitate a “fanless design” to maintain MacBook’s slim profile. This feature highlights its irreplaceable positioning in the portable notebook computer market, emphasizing portability.

Intel:

(1) With the waning trend of the “hybrid work mode,” Intel is optimistic about diversified development in the post-pandemic era for desktop computer products. This includes microcomputers, micro workstations, and general workstations. Due to the characteristic of continuous operation for 24 hours, desktop computers still possess unique attributes that cannot be replaced by notebook computers.

(Photo credit: Intel)

As the mass production of the new iPhone draws near, TrendForce, in April this year, raised concerns in the smartphone industry about several design changes made to the 2023 iPhone models almost half a year ahead of production. The industry is closely monitoring whether related components can keep up with the production schedule to ensure smooth execution of subsequent assembly plans. Recently, TrendForce provided updates on the production progress and details of these components.

According to TrendForce’s investigation, two critical components in the iPhone supply chain are causing worries about potential supply issues – the CIS (CMOS Image Sensor) and the titanium alloy frame. Currently, there are still bottlenecks in the production of these components that need to be overcome.

Regarding the CIS, the bottleneck arises from Sony’s supply of the new 48MP CIS, which is expected to be used in iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. This CIS adopts a new stacked design, separating the CIS photodiodes and peripheral transistors into three layers instead of the previous double-layer structure. This poses a significant challenge to yield rates, and despite Sony’s efforts to increase production capacity to cope with the yield ramp-up difficulties, the supply situation does not meet anticipated levels, affecting the initial production schedule of the entire device.

As for the titanium frame, due to the elimination of the pressure-sensitive button structure and the slight adjustment in the opening for the mute switch, the suppliers need to re-allocate, set up, and verify the basic operating time of the production lines.

Additionally, the processing procedures for titanium are more complicated compared to stainless steel, which leads to longer production lead times. TrendForce confirmed recently that the titanium frame for the new iPhone is currently one of the components with lower yield rates and supply stability. Therefore, suppliers have expanded production capacity by 20-30% and are working diligently to ensure that even if the initial supply is tight during the early stages of production, they can respond accordingly, ensuring that the launch and supply of the entire device will not be affected.

Given the supply constraints of these two components mentioned above, TrendForce believes that Apple may increase the production proportion of the two Pro models in 3Q23 to fill the gap caused by the initial iPhone 15’s production capacity shortage. This adjustment, in an optimistic scenario, will only involve shifting production proportions between different models in two quarters, with no impact on the annual shipment performance. TrendForce assesses that this possibility is more likely under the current circumstances.

However, if the CIS yield bottleneck is difficult to overcome, it could lead to a substantial reduction in the shipment volume of the 2023 iPhone models. TrendForce will continue to monitor the situation closely.

According to research conducted by TrendForce, the much-anticipated Micro LED version of the Apple Watch is facing yet another delay and is now expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2026. The primary reason behind this delay is believed to be the need for reconfiguring the production supply chain.

Previously, industry speculations suggested that Apple would take charge of the core production process, particularly the massive transfer of Micro LED technology. However, recent industry research by TrendForce indicate that LG Display (LGD) might now take over this crucial aspect of the production process.

The critical process involved in the production of the Micro LED version of the Apple Watch, especially the massive transfer of Micro LED technology, has been a point of interest in the industry. It was widely speculated that Apple would handle this key engineering either at its Cupertino headquarters in the United States or potentially transfer the production to its facility in Longtan, Taiwan, for the essential massive transfer of the technology.

TrendForce understands that Apple’s decision to undertake the crucial engineering process in either the United States or Taiwan reflects their intent to have complete control over the core manufacturing process during the initial production phase. However, this approach also introduces complexities in terms of logistics and supply chain management, as the chips are set to be manufactured in Malaysia, the backplates in South Korea, and the final assembly by system integrators in China or Vietnam.

As a result, recent industry research by TrendForce indicate that Apple has finalized LGD as its primary collaborator for Micro LED production. This means that LGD will now be responsible for the critical massive transfer process. In addition to providing its own equipment and technical support, Apple is also expected to invest in LGD’s related equipment procurement to ensure a smooth transition and expedited progress in the Micro LED production pipeline.

For more information and details about the Micro LED industry, TrendForce will hold the “2023 LED Forum” on September 5th (Tuesday) from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm at the NTUH International Convention Center. The seminar has invited TrendForce’s Senior Research Vice President, Eric Chiou, as well as representatives from various industries such as Mojo Vision, ITRI, Lumus, Unikorn, Porotech, Nitride Semiconductor, Tohoku University, Coherent, InZiv, AUO, and Tianma to share the progress and related applications of Micro LED technology.

Apple has finally launched the Vision Pro, an MR device equipped with Micro OLED, but the debut of the Apple Watch with Micro LED panels has been repeatedly delayed. According to a report from TechNews, industry insiders revealed that the production timeline for the Micro LED Apple Watch has been pushed back once again, from the second quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026.

Over the past decade, Apple has invested at least $1 billion in developing Micro LED panels, aiming to reduce reliance on Samsung and strengthen control over critical component supplies. Once in mass production, Apple intends to execute the crucial “mass transfer” process on its own. This highlights Apple’s cautious approach in researching and developing Micro LED technology, which is still in the sample phase due to challenging production techniques and higher manufacturing costs.

In the Micro LED project, Apple has partnered with ams Osram for the development of Micro LED components, collaborated with LG Display for backplate production, and enlisted TSMC to manufacture 12-inch silicon wafers. Initially, Micro LED technology will be introduced in the Apple Watch Ultra model before gradually expanding to other product lines such as iPad and MacBook, with the ultimate plan of incorporating it into the iPhone.

Currently, the Apple Watch utilizes OLED technology, which has been in use since the launch of the first Apple Watch model in 2015. In comparison to OLED screens, Micro LED displays offer higher brightness and overcome issues such as screen aging and differential aging, making them a promising advancement.