ARIAT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Apple to Fully Transition iPhone Screens to OLED Starting Next Year Apple is preparing for a major overhaul of its iPhone displays. Reports suggest that starting next year, Apple will switch all iPhone models to OLED panels, including the budget-friendly iPhone SE series, completely abandoning LCD screens. This move will effectively exclude Japanese companies Sharp and Japan Display Inc. (JDI) from Apple's smartphone business. It is understood that Apple has already started placing orders for OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone SE with China's BOE and South Korea's LG Display. This marks the end of LCD usage in iPhones, with the SE model set to adopt OLED next year. The report highlights that around a decade ago, Sharp and JDI together held 70% of the market share for iPhone displays. However, they have recently only been supplying LCD screens for the iPhone SE and have not significantly ventured into OLED production for smartphones. It's expected that their supply of LCD displays for iPhones will cease with the discontinuation of the older SE models. Around 2015, Sharp and JDI were producing nearly 200 million LCD units annually for iPhones, but this figure has dropped to around 20 million by 2023. According to UK market research firm Omdia, this year, for the first time, shipments of OLED panels for smartphones will surpass those of LCD. With the adoption of advanced OLED screens in iPads and other products, Apple is expected to further reduce its procurement of LCD displays. Apple first introduced OLED displays in the iPhone X, which debuted in 2017. Since then, the company's high-end models have gradually transitioned from LCD to OLED. South Korea's Samsung Electronics holds roughly half of the market share for iPhone OLED displays, while LG Display and BOE hold around 30% and 20%, respectively. 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/g9YjhTt7

Component Suppliers: iPhone 16 Series Stocking 88-90 Million Units Apple has announced its fall product launch event, themed “It’s Glowtime,” scheduled for September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time at its California headquarters. Recently, multiple sources have revealed that Apple is betting on the success of its first iPhone 16 equipped with Apple Intelligence AI capabilities. The company has informed suppliers to stock components for approximately 88 to 90 million smartphones, marking an increase from last year’s initial order of 80 million units for the new iPhone. Some component manufacturers have indicated that they have even received orders for more than 90 million units. However, they added that iPhone manufacturers typically place larger orders initially and then adjust them after the product is officially launched. Jeff Pu, Managing Director at Haitong International Securities, predicts that this year’s new iPhone shipments will be around 88 million units, though he does not see this as the beginning of a "super cycle." “We expect the recovery this year to be relatively modest,” Pu said. “While the Apple Intelligence feature has promising prospects, it may not bring groundbreaking progress in 2024. We believe 2025 could be a more significant year as the broader AI ecosystem matures.” According to research and estimates by Counterpoint Research, Apple’s revenue for the full year of 2024 could exceed $400 billion. Notably, this would represent a return to growth following a revenue decline in 2023, driven not only by the iPhone but also by Apple’s entire hardware and services portfolio. Looking ahead, researchers predict that once Apple identifies which elements can be monetized, it will directly generate revenue from “Apple Intelligence.” It is estimated that in the coming years, Apple Intelligence could boost Apple’s services revenue by at least 10% to 15%. 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gq3DqtFV

ASIC Threat Looms Large, A Thorn in NVIDIA's Side The generative AI boom has become a market sensation, with Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) scrambling to secure more NVIDIA GPUs while simultaneously accelerating the development of their own Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) to reduce operational costs and shorten time-to-market. As a result, the concept of a "non-NVIDIA alliance" is gradually taking shape. Currently, major overseas companies like Broadcom and Marvell are securing mass production orders from CSPs through their Ethernet switch chips. Taiwanese companies, closely collaborating with wafer foundries in the later stages of design, have become reliable partners for international giants, including those like Alchip, Global Unichip, and Faraday Technology, challenging NVIDIA's monopolistic landscape. In the past, the low cost of initiating chip projects allowed companies to design their own ASICs to achieve product differentiation. However, with advanced processes, the fixed costs of photomask design for nodes below 7nm, along with rising R&D expenses, have skyrocketed. Coupled with the pressure to meet market launch deadlines, major companies have begun to rely on third-party ASIC designers. Industry insiders note that while CSP customers still heavily depend on NVIDIA GPUs to enhance internal efficiency, the future will likely see general-purpose data centers gradually replaced by ASICs as usage demands become more defined. Additionally, as NVIDIA's B series development encounters bottlenecks, ASIC iteration speed is expected to catch up. ASICs are specifically designed for highly repetitive computations, reducing the time and power consumption per unit of computing power, thereby lowering operational costs. For example, Meta's platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, need to process vast amounts of video data repeatedly, leading to the development of the MSVP (Meta Scalable Video Processor) as a dedicated computing chip for video recommendations. 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gJfPhi7x

Apple Anticipates Strong Sales for iPhone 16 Pro Models, Pro Series to Account for 70% of Shipments Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 16 series in September, and according to a report by The Elec, component orders placed with suppliers suggest that high-end models—iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max—will account for nearly 70% of total sales. The Elec reports that the latest supply chain data indicates that LG Innotech is currently the exclusive supplier of the periscope telephoto lens modules for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. It is reported that the orders placed by Apple with LG Innotech can meet 70% of the production for the entire iPhone 16 lineup. The report estimates that Apple will ship approximately 90.1 million units of the iPhone 16 series in the second half of the year, representing a year-over-year increase of about 10%. Among these, 24.5 million units are expected to be the standard iPhone 16, 5.8 million units will be the iPhone 16 Plus, 26.6 million units will be the iPhone 16 Pro, and 33.2 million units will be the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In terms of percentages, the iPhone 16 will account for 27% of shipments, while the iPhone 16 Plus will only account for 6%. The iPhone 16 Pro will make up 30%, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will comprise 37%, with the combined Pro/Pro Max models reaching 67% of total shipments. 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gpUcAxkq

PHEV Market Remains Hot: What's Next for Power Battery Installations? In the passenger car sub-market, the popularity of PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) models continues unabated. Market data indicates that in January and February of 2024, PHEV model sales reached 459,000 units, a year-over-year increase of 74.9%, surpassing the overall new energy vehicle market's growth rate of 37.5%. Moreover, even in February of this year, affected by the long Spring Festival holiday, PHEV models still showed a robust growth of over 15%. Based on the sales, wholesale, and production data for PHEV models in January and February 2024, with year-over-year increases of 74.9%, 73.1%, and 68.8%, respectively, the market situation of sales outpacing production and wholesale reveals a performance that exceeds the expectations of manufacturers and dealers. Looking back at the PHEV market, in 2023, PHEV models achieved sales of 1.421 million units, with a year-over-year growth rate of 82.5%. Automakers like BYD and Li Auto shone in the market with their impressive sales performance of multiple PHEV models. Models like BYD Qin, Song, and Li Auto’s L7, L8, L9 were among the top in sales rankings. The outstanding performance of the PHEV market also drove the follow-up of upstream battery supporting enterprises, including Li Auto’s battery supplier CATL, Changan Blue Core, Zero Run's battery supplier CENAT, and battery suppliers like Honeycomb Energy for Haval, Mocha, and Lynk & Co, all of which performed well in the market. Previously, GGII analyzed the "comeback" of the PHEV market and the power battery support pattern in "PHEV Market 'Turnaround': What's the Power Battery Support Landscape?" Facing a slowdown in downstream demand, models represented by PHEVs are driving the penetration rate of new energy vehicles, affecting the new market landscape in power battery installation. GGII will analyze from multiple dimensions such as PHEV model support, installation volumes, etc., to decode the market direction of PHEV power batteries in 2024. MORE--> 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gRT9xTzb

The ICS-40300 is a MEMS microphone model developed by InvenSense, designed to offer high-quality audio capture in a compact form factor. It falls under the category of audio products, specifically within the microphones classification. Brand and Manufacturer This model is produced by InvenSense, a well-regarded manufacturer in the field of motion tracking and audio sensing technologies. Features Omnidirectional MEMS (Silicon) microphone Analog output type for versatile connectivity Wide frequency range from 6Hz to 20kHz, ensuring capture of a full spectrum of sounds High sensitivity rating of -45dB ±2dB at 94dB SPL for accurate audio representation Decent signal-to-noise ratio (S/N Ratio) of 63dB, minimizing background noise Operates efficiently across a voltage range of 1.5 ~ 3.63V Working Principle Utilizes MEMS technology to convert sound waves into electrical signals through the movement of a micro-diaphragm within a silicon structure, allowing for precise audio capture. Size, Shape, and Packaging Rectangular shape with dimensions of 0.186" L x 0.148" W (4.72mm x 3.76mm) and a height of 0.142" (3.60mm) Supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) packaging for efficient assembly processes Features solder pads for termination and a bottom port location Core Technical Parameters Voltage Range: 1.5 ~ 3.63V Frequency Range: 6Hz ~ 20kHz Sensitivity: -45dB ±2dB @ 94dB SPL S/N Ratio: 63dB Impedance: 200 Ohm Output Type: Analog Direction: Omnidirectional Reliability and Longevity Although the seal rating is not specified, the device's compact and robust design contributes to its reliability in various applications. Regular testing and proper usage can further ensure its longevity. Precautions for Use Ensure proper handling and soldering techniques to avoid damage. Operating within the specified voltage range and environmental conditions is crucial for maintaining its performance and lifespan. Practical Application Areas The ICS-40300 is suitable for a wide range of applications, including but not limited to smart devices, IoT applications, high-quality audio recording devices, and noise-cancellation systems. Substitutes and Equivalent Products For projects requiring different specifications or price points, alternatives from other manufacturers such as Knowles, TDK, or STMicroelectronics may serve as substitutes or equivalents, depending on the specific requirements of the application. MORE--> 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gkdvKY-Q

Broadcom's Aggressive Move: Prices Increase by Twelvefold! CISPE Calls for Investigation ICTIME's Chip Talk reported on March 24 that the European Cloud Computing Services Provider Association (CISPE) is calling on regulatory bodies to investigate Broadcom VMware's software licensing arrangements, claiming they could bankrupt some of its members and harm end users. On Tuesday, CISPE voiced its opposition to Broadcom's "unilateral cancellation of the licensing terms for basic virtualization software." The organization roared, "Cloud customers, including public sector institutions, large European enterprises, SMEs, and startups, are all threatened by shocking and unreasonable new contract terms and price hikes. Then it called for an immediate halt to contract terminations, allowing customers the ability to exit the multi-year contracts imposed by Broadcom once viable alternatives are available." This refers to Broadcom canceling VMware's previous partnership programs, replacing them with its own, and requiring companies offering VMware products as a service to have at least 3,500 production cores to obtain licenses. These licenses are valid for several years. Broadcom will later this month cease selling licenses to small clouds, preventing them from offering VMware services and possibly necessitating sudden, unrequested migrations for their customers. Few VMware-supported cloud operators can run 3,500 cores, leaving most cloud operators facing a very uncertain future. Broadcom appears to offer a lifeline to these operators, arranging for small clouds not authorized to join the Broadcom channel program as "tier two" providers, who can purchase licenses from "primary" providers meeting the 3,500 core requirement. However, an organization familiar with the arrangement noted that it is not going smoothly, as primary partners must support the VMware software for secondary partners. Primary partners are set up to host multiple tenants, so dealing with secondary partners wouldn't be a huge complexity, but primary partners seldom provide the same level of software support as the vendors. Therefore, the primary/secondary plan has drawn criticism, as some believe it's not a viable arrangement for secondary partners. MORE--> 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gRT9xTzb

By 2025, AI PCs are Expected to Account for 40% of Global PC Shipments The latest forecast data from Canalys shows that the global shipment of AI PCs will reach 48 million units in 2024, accounting for 18% of the total personal computer (PC) shipments. However, this is just the beginning of the market transformation. It is expected that by 2025, the shipment of AI PCs will exceed 100 million units, accounting for 40% of the total PC shipments. By 2028, the shipment of AI PCs will reach 205 million units, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of an astonishing 44% from 2024 to 2028. These PCs integrate dedicated accelerators for AI, such as Neural Processing Units (NPUs), unleashing new capabilities in productivity, personalization, and energy efficiency. This will revolutionize the entire PC market and bring significant value gains for manufacturers and their partners. Canalys Chief Analyst Ishan Dutt stated, "The widespread application of AI acceleration chips in personal computing will have profound implications. By the end of 2025, the shipment of AI PCs will exceed 150 million units. AI PCs will usher in a new, improved user experience, enhance productivity, and, while offering high energy efficiency and robust security, massively personalize devices and reduce the costs associated with running AI workloads. This emerging PC segment offers new opportunities for software developers and hardware suppliers, and presents compelling use cases for consumers, businesses, and educational scenarios." Canalys Analyst Kieren Jessop commented, "The rapid adoption of AI PCs will moderately increase the TAM value of the PC market. This new category's enhanced features will create momentum for premiumization, especially in the commercial sector. In the short term, Canalys expects AI PCs to command a premium of 10%-15% compared to their non-NPU integrated counterparts. With the surge in adoption rates, by the end of 2025, more than half of the PCs priced at $800 and above will be AI PCs, and by 2028, this ratio will increase to over 80%. Therefore, the shipment of PCs in this price range will grow to over half of the market within just four years. This will help drive the overall value of PC shipments from $225 billion in 2024 to over $270 billion in 2028." The latest forecast from Canalys highlights the widespread and profound impact that AI PCs will have on the entire industry over the next five years and beyond. As AI PCs become mainstream, manufacturers capable of offering innovative, differentiated AI acceleration experiences will have a significant advantage. 📖▶️: https://lnkd.in/gY2y8QYh

Mixed Blessings in the Energy Storage Industry: Who Will Prevail Next Spring? On March 13th, CNESA released the 2023 energy storage system integrators shipment volume list, and experts believe it is worth noting several points from their recent years' data analysis. Firstly, the competition for the top two spots, CSR ZELRI surpassing HaiBoSiChuang to claim the first place, essentially reflects the competitive dynamics between state-owned enterprises and private enterprises. In the first year, they ranked in the top two, and in the second year, they took the top spot. CSR ZELRI, fully owned by China's CSR, surpasses most private enterprises by a significant margin in terms of technological prowess, talent, channels, and projects. The "minor shock" they bring might become a common occurrence. In 2022, CSR secured a 4 billion yuan order and won over 20 energy storage system integration/EPC project orders, making it the second-largest domestic shipper and the fastest-growing company. In 2023, CSR successively secured major framework procurement orders for energy storage systems from China National Nuclear Corporation, State Power Investment Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Corporation, China Energy Construction Group, and China Huaneng Group, with new signed orders breaking 6 billion yuan for the year. As for HaiBoSiChuang, formerly the top player in the "Tsinghua System" energy storage sector, holding the title of "domestic energy storage system top shipper" for three consecutive years, with a solid background and prominent reputation, their successful listing seems just a step away. In June 2023, HaiBoSiChuang submitted its IPO prospectus to the Shanghai Stock Exchange's Science and Technology Innovation Board, aiming to go public for two main reasons: to broaden new financing channels and to urgently expand production capacity. This seems to be a common constraint faced by private enterprises. By the end of 2022, HaiBoSiChuang had a production capacity of 2.63GWh, while CSR, its competitor, had already reached 3GWh. MORE--> 📖▶: https://lnkd.in/dtp5eKDr