Core Viewpoint - The delay of NVIDIA's Thor chip has significantly impacted domestic automakers, particularly Xiaopeng and Li Auto, who were relying on its capabilities for their models [1][5][9]. Group 1: NVIDIA Thor Chip Issues - NVIDIA's Thor chip, initially promised for mass production by the end of 2024, has faced design issues leading to low yield rates, with CEO Jensen Huang admitting the problem lies with NVIDIA [1][5]. - The promised single-chip performance of 2000 TOPS has been downgraded to 700 TOPS, with actual tests showing performance around 500 TOPS, which does not provide a competitive advantage over existing solutions [3][5]. - The delay in Thor's production has forced companies like Xiaopeng to switch to alternative solutions, such as dual Orin X chips, to meet their production timelines [5][7]. Group 2: Impact on Domestic Automakers - Xiaopeng's G7 model had to switch to a self-developed Turing chip due to the Thor chip's repeated delays, with only the Ultra version utilizing the Turing chip [7][8]. - Li Auto's VLA model, which requires the Thor chip's processing power for advanced road recognition, is also significantly affected, as it cannot be deployed without it [9][11]. - Both companies are now looking towards self-developed chips as a more reliable solution, with Li Auto's "Schumacher" chip expected to be ready by Q1 2026 [11][20]. Group 3: Shift Towards Self-Developed Chips - The trend towards self-developed chips is gaining momentum among domestic automakers, with NIO having started its chip development as early as 2021, resulting in the release of the Tianji NX9031 chip with 1000 TOPS performance [17][19]. - Xiaopeng's Turing chip, with a performance of 750 TOPS, is also in development, although it has not yet been fully optimized for autonomous driving [19]. - Huawei's Ascend 910 B chip, designed for L3 level driving assistance, is another example of the shift towards self-reliance in chip development [20][23]. Group 4: Industry Implications - The delays caused by NVIDIA's Thor chip have inadvertently provided an opportunity for domestic competitors to catch up in the autonomous driving chip market [30][32]. - The necessity for self-developed chips is emphasized as a means to enhance vertical integration and better manage chip performance and deployment [30][32]. - The long-term accumulation of technology in chip design and manufacturing is crucial for companies to avoid dependency on external suppliers like NVIDIA [32].

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley raised Arm's target price from $150 to $194, maintaining an "Overweight" rating, highlighting the potential strategic shift towards self-developed chips as a transformative opportunity for the company's long-term development [1] - The possibility of Arm's transition to self-developed chips has become a central topic of discussion among investors, with increasing market attention driving Arm's stock price above the previous target [1] - Analysts from Morgan Stanley noted active discussions regarding Arm's chip projects during a recent visit to Taiwan, despite lacking concrete evidence of nearing tape-out, indicating strong market momentum as investors await clearer information from the company [1] Group 2 - Morgan Stanley remains optimistic about Arm's long-term prospects due to diversification in value capture opportunities, including potential self-developed chips, and adjusted forecasts ahead of the company's Q1 earnings report on July 30 [2] - The firm raised its 2025 licensing revenue growth expectation from 8% to 11%, primarily due to the easing of restrictions in the Chinese market, while lowering the 2026 royalty revenue growth forecast from 22% to 20% due to weak consumer electronics demand [2] - Operating expense expectations were increased, with a projected compound annual growth rate of about 12% over the next two years, reflecting the company's plan to expand its engineering team from approximately 6,900 to over 10,000 in the next 2-3 years; adjusted EPS for 2027 is expected to be $2.94, with revenue forecasted at $6.43 billion [2]

Core Viewpoint - Xiaomi has successfully developed its first high-end flagship SoC, the "Xuanjie O1," which is also the first self-developed 3nm chip in mainland China, marking a significant milestone in the global SoC research and development landscape [1][7][9]. Group 1: Product Development - The "Xuanjie O1" chip was officially launched on May 22, featuring an area of 109mm² and utilizing the second-generation 3nm process with 19 billion transistors [9]. - The chip includes a 16-core GPU with the latest Immortalis-G925 and employs dynamic performance scheduling technology [9]. - The CPU architecture consists of a 10-core setup based on ARM's latest designs, including Cortex-X925 and A725 cores [9][10]. Group 2: Company Strategy - Xiaomi's chip development journey began four years ago with the establishment of Xuanjie, aiming to become a leader in next-generation hard technology [6][7]. - The company had previously paused its SoC development after the "Panghu S1" in 2017 but resumed efforts in early 2021, leading to the formation of Shanghai Xuanjie Technology Co., Ltd. with a registered capital of 1.5 billion yuan [12]. - Xiaomi plans to invest continuously in chip development, viewing the "Xuanjie O1" as a milestone and the beginning of a ten-year journey [7][12]. Group 3: Market Position and Future Plans - Since its release, the "Xuanjie O1" has not been widely adopted across Xiaomi's product range, currently featured in select models like the Xiaomi 15S Pro and Xiaomi Pad 7 series [12]. - Future plans include the development of the second-generation "Xuanjie O2" chip and a 5G baseband, with aspirations for full terminal coverage, including automotive applications [12][13]. - Xiaomi's founder, Lei Jun, has indicated that the experience with the "Xuanjie O1" has exceeded expectations, leading to considerations for broader applications in future products [12].

Group 1 - Xiaomi recently launched the MIX Flip 2 foldable phone, which is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor instead of the self-developed玄戒O1 chip, with a starting price of 5999 yuan [1] - Xiaomi's official response to the absence of the玄戒O1 chip in the MIX Flip 2 indicated that the chip was primarily for technical validation and the initial production plan was limited, unable to meet the mass production needs of the foldable product [1] - The玄戒O1 chip is currently only used in a few products, including the Xiaomi 15S Pro and Xiaomi Pad 7 series [1] Group 2 - In Q2 2025, Xiaomi (including REDMI) achieved an activation volume of 11.42 million units, leading the Chinese smartphone market with a market share of 16.63%, representing a year-on-year growth of 7.39% [3] - Vivo (including iQOO) followed closely with an activation volume of 11.24 million units and a market share of 16.37%, but experienced a year-on-year decline of 5.95% [3] - OPPO (including OnePlus and realme) ranked third with 11.17 million units activated and a market share of 16.27%, showing a year-on-year growth rate of 10.48% [3] - Huawei and Apple ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, with activation volumes of 11.04 million and 11.04 million units, both holding a market share of 16.08%, with year-on-year growth rates of 10.96% and 8.46% [3] - There are reports of progress in Xiaomi's next-generation self-developed baseband, but uncertainty remains regarding whether the玄戒O2 will utilize the self-developed baseband [3]

Core Viewpoint - Apple is advancing its self-developed chip strategy with the upcoming launch of the iPhone 17 series, new Mac models, and Apple Watch, indicating a significant shift in its hardware differentiation and vertical integration approach [1][2]. Group 1: Chip Development - Apple is developing at least seven new chips, including A19, A19 Pro, M5, M5 Pro, a new Apple Watch chip, a second-generation 5G modem (C2), and a combined Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip (Proxima) [1][2]. - The A19 chip will be used in the iPhone 17 Air, while the A19 Pro will be featured in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, reinforcing Apple's strategy of using differentiated processors for high-end models [1]. - The M5 and M5 Pro processors are expected to be introduced in the updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro series following the iPhone launch, continuing Apple's chip upgrade rhythm in its laptop product line [1]. Group 2: Enhancements in Wearable Technology - The Apple Watch Series 11 is anticipated to introduce a new processor (Bora), likely based on the A18 architecture, which will enhance the watch's performance and AI capabilities, solidifying Apple's leadership in the wearable market [2]. - The integration of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi into a single chip (Proxima) is expected to improve space utilization and power management across devices [2]. Group 3: 5G Technology and Future Outlook - The second-generation 5G modem (C2) is set to replace the current C1 chip used in the iPhone 16e, with expectations for it to debut in the iPhone 17e by 2025, showcasing Apple's efforts to reduce reliance on Qualcomm and strengthen its own connectivity solutions [2]. - This chip strategy reflects Apple's ongoing commitment to vertical integration and paves the way for enhanced collaboration among diverse devices, AI applications, and integrated communication technologies [2].

Group 1: Apple Leadership Transition - Apple's hardware engineering chief, John Ternus, is being considered as the most likely successor to CEO Tim Cook, following the announcement of COO Jeff Williams' retirement at the end of the year [1] - The Apple board is looking for a long-term executive, similar to Cook and Steve Jobs, who can remain in the role for at least a decade [1] Group 2: macOS 26 Updates - The macOS 26 Beta 3 has optimized the Safari browser and Terminal application tabs by removing a black bar and improving contrast for better visibility of active tabs [2] - The introduction of the ASIF disk image format in macOS 26 significantly enhances disk image processing capabilities, achieving read speeds of up to 5.8 GB/s and write speeds of 6.6 GB/s on M3 Pro MacBook Pro [6][7] Group 3: Apple Pencil Innovation - Apple has been granted a patent for a new design of the Apple Pencil that allows writing on any surface, moving away from reliance on the iPad's screen [3][4] - The technology involves optical sensors within the Apple Pencil, enabling it to detect movements and distances from surfaces, thus allowing for a versatile writing experience [6] Group 4: New Chip Developments - Apple is reportedly developing a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip named Proxima, which is expected to be used in future iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and HomePod mini models [8][9] - This new chip aims to replace current chips supplied by Broadcom and is anticipated to support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, enhancing connectivity for devices like Apple TV and HomePod mini [9] Group 5: Industry Events - GAC Fiat Chrysler has officially declared bankruptcy due to an inability to repay debts and insufficient assets, marking a significant event in the automotive industry [10] - The company had been in bankruptcy proceedings since late 2022, with its Guangzhou factory being repurposed for electric vehicle production [10]

Core Insights - Major tech companies like Microsoft and Google are facing significant challenges in developing their own AI chips to compete with Nvidia's market dominance [1][4] - Microsoft's AI chip Maia 100 is currently only used for internal testing and has not yet provided computational power for any AI services, highlighting a gap between expectations and reality [2][3] - Google's collaboration with MediaTek on the next-generation TPU has been hindered by talent loss, as key team members have moved to Nvidia [4] Group 1: Microsoft Challenges - Microsoft's Maia 100 chip, launched in 2023, is outdated and not designed for current generative AI needs, leading to its underperformance [2] - The next-generation AI chip, Braga, is delayed by at least six months, pushing its production to 2026, and is expected to underperform compared to Nvidia's upcoming Blackwell chip [3] - Microsoft has canceled plans for AI training chips and is focusing solely on inference applications, indicating a strategic shift in their chip development [3] Group 2: Google and Nvidia Dynamics - Google is experiencing talent attrition in its TPU development, with key members leaving for Nvidia, which could impact its competitive edge [4] - Nvidia's president has expressed skepticism about the viability of custom chip projects from tech companies, suggesting that many will ultimately be abandoned if they do not outperform existing products [4] - Nvidia is actively reinforcing its market leadership by setting behavioral goals for its flagship AI system GB200, making it harder for clients to replace it with self-developed chips [4]

Core Insights - Xiaomi's Yu7 SUV received over 200,000 pre-orders within 3 minutes of its launch, exceeding expectations and demonstrating strong market demand [1][2] - The Yu7 is positioned as a luxury high-performance SUV, directly competing with Tesla's Model Y, with a price range from 253,500 to 329,900 CNY [2] - Xiaomi aims to enhance product quality and accelerate delivery times for the Yu7, with initial deliveries set to begin in August [3] Product Performance - The Yu7's standard version offers a range of 835 km, while the Pro and Max versions provide a range of 730 km [2] - The company has seen a positive trend in orders for its previous model, the SU7, with expectations for monthly new orders increasing from 10,000 to 13,000-14,000 [3] Strategic Direction - Xiaomi's CEO emphasized the importance of technological innovation and quality over price competition, aiming to advance into the high-end market [3] - The company is preparing to implement its self-developed chips in vehicles, with the first generation of the SoC chip performing better than anticipated [3] Regional Development - Xiaomi is expanding its research and development presence in Wuhan, targeting a team of 10,000, with current staffing at 4,000-5,000 [4] - The company prioritizes local suppliers in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region for its automotive supply chain, aiming for 60-70% local sourcing including battery suppliers [5]

Macro Strategy - The current market is entering a risk-off phase, with a potential shift back to growth after a period of risk-on behavior. The rotation pattern resembles that of early 2024 and late 2024, with initial strength in the TMT sector, followed by a rotation to upstream resources and finance, and then a short-term rebound in consumption and manufacturing sectors [1][10][11] - The macroeconomic fundamentals have not fundamentally changed compared to late 2024 and March 2025, suggesting that future industry rotation may continue to be driven by capital behavior. A defensive mode is recommended in the short term, focusing on stable sectors such as banks, utilities, and leading home appliance companies [1][11] Industry Insights - QuantumScape (QS) has successfully integrated its advanced Cobra membrane technology into its baseline battery production, marking a significant step towards scaling production capacity. The Cobra process improves thermal treatment speed by approximately 25 times and allows for more efficient production, representing a major advancement in ceramic membrane manufacturing [3][14] - QS's QSE-5 B solid-state battery cells have recently entered small-scale production, with deliveries to select automotive customers. The introduction of the Cobra membrane is expected to accelerate the trial and adoption of QS's B1 samples [3][14] - Domestic lithium battery equipment manufacturers have a significant first-mover advantage in the solid-state battery equipment sector, with several companies successfully covering the entire manufacturing process. In 2024, multiple equipment manufacturers have received orders exceeding 100 million yuan, positioning them to benefit from the industrialization of solid-state batteries [5][14] Company Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on solid-state battery equipment suppliers such as XianDao Intelligent, laser welding equipment manufacturers like LianYing Laser, and formation and capacity equipment providers like HangKe Technology. Attention is also drawn to dry/wet electrode equipment manufacturers and other related companies [5][14] - For ZhongAn Online, the company has initiated an H-share placement to enhance its capital base and support growth in its insurance and technology sectors. The expected net proceeds from the placement are approximately 39.96 billion HKD, which will bolster its financial strength and support its growth trajectory [7][17][18] - Xiangcai Co., Ltd. is undergoing a transformation into wealth management and financial technology, with significant growth expected in net profit from 2025 to 2027. The company is leveraging its acquisition of Dazhihui to enhance its competitive edge in the financial services market [9][19]

Core Viewpoint - Xiaomi's founder Lei Jun stated that the experience with the Xuanjie O1 chip has exceeded expectations, and the company is considering applying the second generation of self-developed chips in vehicles [1] Group 1: Chip Development - The self-developed chip requires a research and development cycle of three to four years [1] - The first generation of the chip was focused on technology validation, resulting in a limited production quantity [1] - The next step involves fully self-developing a four-in-one domain controller to prepare for future applications of Xiaomi's self-developed chips in vehicles [1]