Accessible version However, the chip inventory de-stocking trend in the China market may have decelerated again in June/July. Billed integrated circuit (IC) shipments in China were 13.9bn units in June 2025, -1% YoY. The shipment growth was muted vs 19%/14% YoY in April/May. On the supply side, the IC import and domestic manufacturing volumes were 55bn and 47bn units in July, +12% and +25% YoY, respectively. Even if considering 17% YoY growth in the IC export volume, we note the IC supply growth to the Chin ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the advantages of custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) over off-the-shelf integrated circuits (ICs), highlighting how ASICs can provide differentiation, optimize power efficiency, and reduce costs in electronic system design [3][4][11]. Summary by Sections Off-the-Shelf ICs - Off-the-shelf ICs offer convenience for electronic system designers but limit differentiation in critical metrics such as power efficiency, functionality, and size [3]. - The use of evaluation boards based on standard ICs can lead to converging functionalities, making it challenging for designers to optimize for specific applications [3]. Custom ASICs - Custom ASICs allow for comprehensive system optimization, enabling significant improvements in data throughput and energy efficiency, particularly for applications like machine vision [5]. - ASICs provide a strong barrier against intellectual property theft, making reverse engineering more difficult compared to standard ICs [5][6]. Comparison Criteria - A comparison between standard ICs and mature-node ASICs reveals that ASICs offer high differentiation, optimized power efficiency, smaller bill of materials (BOM), and better supply chain stability [7]. - While standard ICs have lower upfront costs, ASICs incur higher non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs but lower per-unit costs at scale [7]. Design Flexibility - Custom ASICs do not need to encompass all design features, allowing for targeted enhancements that reduce manufacturing complexity and BOM size [8]. - The use of mature CMOS nodes (e.g., 180 nm and 130 nm) for ASICs meets performance needs without the high costs associated with advanced nodes [9]. Competitive Advantage - In a market where commercial chips erode profits and brand uniqueness, mature-node ASICs provide a transformative leverage point, allowing companies to focus on their critical intellectual property and achieve differentiation that off-the-shelf components cannot [11]. Strategic Questions - The article poses strategic questions regarding the unique functionalities that can be achieved through ASICs and the potential for risk and cost reduction by integrating discrete components into a single ASIC [16].

Group 1 - The semiconductor industry is experiencing a typical seasonal downturn in Q1 2025, with electronic product sales declining by 16% compared to the previous quarter, but remaining stable year-on-year [1] - Integrated circuit (IC) sales decreased by 2% quarter-on-quarter but saw a significant year-on-year increase of 23%, driven by ongoing investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure [1] Group 2 - Capital expenditures in the semiconductor industry fell by 7% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2025, but increased by 27% year-on-year [5] - Notably, capital expenditures related to memory surged by 57% year-on-year, while non-memory capital expenditures also grew by 15% year-on-year [5] Group 3 - Wafer fab equipment (WFE) spending increased by 19% year-on-year in Q1 2025, while backend test equipment orders saw a remarkable year-on-year growth of 56% [9] - Assembly and packaging equipment spending also achieved double-digit year-on-year growth [9] Group 4 - Due to uncertainties in trade policies and the backdrop of supply chain restructuring, the semiconductor industry is expected to face atypical seasonal changes this year, particularly in non-AI and data center sectors, which may experience investment delays or shifts in demand due to external factors [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Philippines possesses significant potential in the global semiconductor industry but risks missing opportunities due to slower development compared to regional competitors like Vietnam and Thailand [1][2]. Group 1: Market Growth and Opportunities - The global semiconductor market is projected to reach $167.7 billion in sales by Q1 2025, marking an 18.8% increase from the same period in 2024 [4][5]. - By 2025, the total revenue of the semiconductor market is expected to exceed $600 billion, with a year-on-year growth rate of 10-15%, driven by demand in AI, 5G, automotive, and cloud computing sectors [5][6]. - The memory semiconductor market alone is anticipated to surpass $250 billion by 2025, fueled by the growing need for data storage and processing [5]. Group 2: Challenges Facing the Philippines - The Philippines is lagging behind regional competitors, particularly Vietnam, which has been actively supporting its domestic industry to explore new investment opportunities [1][6]. - The country's share in assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) has been declining, and the previous advantage of low labor costs is diminishing due to rising living costs [6][6]. - There is a significant shortage of over one million technical talents in the global semiconductor industry, presenting an opportunity for the Philippines to fill this gap by developing local engineering talent [4][5]. Group 3: Government Support and Education - The Philippine government has identified semiconductors as a priority industry but has yet to demonstrate effective actions to support it [2][3]. - Outdated educational curricula are a critical bottleneck, as they do not align with industry needs, and there is a lack of awareness regarding the potential of the integrated circuit design sector [2][3]. - Strengthening government support for the semiconductor industry could enhance capabilities in key areas such as military and infrastructure, ensuring continuity even during global supply chain disruptions [2][3].