SemiVoice

May 7

• iPhone Adopts 12GB RAM…Mobile DRAM Grows with AI

  ➀ Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max will feature 12GB DRAM (a first for iPhones) to support AI demands, with Samsung (70% supply share), SK Hynix, and Micron as key suppliers;

  ➁ AI-driven smartphones are accelerating mobile DRAM market growth, with Counterpoint Research projecting 405 million AI phone shipments in 2025, a 68% YoY increase;

  ➂ The shift to 12GB DRAM benefits supply chain partners (e.g., Samsung Electro-Mechanics, LG Innotek) and raises average selling prices by ~50% compared to 8GB modules.

• The Next 3-4 Years Are the Golden Time for AI Powerhouse Leap…KCCI Proposes 333 Strategy

  ➀ South Korea's private AI investment is only a quarter of the U.S. and a third of China's, ranking 11th globally, raising concerns about falling behind in global AI leadership;

  ➁ The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) proposes the "333 Strategy," focusing on three key inputs (energy, data, talent) and three value chains, alongside 10 policy tasks to build AI infrastructure and foster a Korean LLM;

  ➂ Recommendations include streamlining regulations for AI data centers, boosting AI adoption in manufacturing (currently at 2.7%), and expanding government-led initiatives for energy, data, and talent support to drive AI ecosystem growth.

• [Photo] Plant Cultivator for Growing Leafy Vegetables and Flowers

  ➀ Demand for home plant cultivators rises amid increasing single-person households, enabling users to grow leafy vegetables and decorative flowers;

  ➀ Kyowon Wells offers a subscription service providing seasonal seedlings paired with LED-equipped devices like 'Wells Farm' and 'Wells Farm Flower';

  ➂ The technology supports indoor farming for both practical and aesthetic purposes.

• InterBattery Europe Opens on the 7th…K-Batteries Accelerate European Market Expansion

  ➀ InterBattery Europe 2025, part of The Smarter E Europe exhibition, will host 97 companies including LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, focusing on Europe's EV and ESS markets;

  ➁ LG Energy Solution debuts LFP-based ESS for power grids and a battery passport system compliant with EU regulations, while Samsung SDI showcases AI data center UPS batteries and containerized ESS solutions;

  ➂ Mid-sized Korean battery firms and equipment suppliers like Enertech International and Vitzrocell aim to expand in Europe, supported by the EU's €1.8 billion (approx. $1.94 billion) battery production initiative.

• Hyundai Steel and Dongkuk Steel Raise Prices and Cut Production to Secure Profitability

  ➀ Hyundai Steel and Dongkuk Steel raised rebar prices to 780,000 won ($570) per ton in May, a 30,000 won increase from April, to stabilize prices amid weak demand;

  ➁ Both companies reduced production: Hyundai restarted its Incheon plant but may adjust output further, while Dongkuk cut operations to 50% capacity to address oversupply;

  ➂ Domestic rebar demand is projected to plummet from 12 million tons (2021) to 6 million tons (2024), leading to Hyundai's Q1 2024 operating loss of 19 billion won ($138 million) and Dongkuk's 91.9% profit decline to 4.3 billion won ($3.1 million).

• Key Drivers of Semiconductor Industry Innovation That Will Shape the Future

  ➀ The semiconductor industry is witnessing a paradigm shift from AI model training to real-time inference, with Edge AI and NPUs (100x more power-efficient than GPUs) driving low-latency decision-making;

  ➁ Next-gen materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon photonics, alongside quantum computing advancements (compatible with existing FD-SOI processes), are redefining performance benchmarks;

  ➂ Semiconductor applications are expanding into EVs, wearables with biosensors, and space technologies, with 60,000 satellites projected to orbit by 2035, enabling global communication and resource exploration.

• Cuckoo's 'Cuckoo Mall' First Merchant Recruitment...Product Diversification

  ➀ Cuckoo launches its first merchant recruitment for 'Cuckoo Mall' to diversify product offerings, including kitchenware, home goods, furniture, and food, aiming to enhance competitiveness and attract new customers;

  ➀ The revamped mall features a 'Quick Menu' for faster navigation, live streaming, and promotional rankings to improve user experience;

  ⑵ By bypassing third-party platform fees, Cuckoo aims to boost profitability and provide exclusive products/services to strengthen customer loyalty.

May 6

• Samsung SDI Unveils UPS Batteries for AI Data Centers at 'InterBattery Europe 2025'

  ➀ Samsung SDI showcased UPS batteries for AI data centers and container-type ESS at InterBattery Europe 2025, highlighting the U8A1 model with enhanced performance and safety for emergency power supply and grid stabilization;

  ➁ The company displayed the 'Samsung Battery Box (SBB) 1.5,' a 5.26MWh containerized ESS, alongside 46pi cylindrical cells, all-solid-state batteries (ASB), and its proprietary 'No TP' thermal runaway prevention technology;

  ➂ ESG initiatives, including battery passport development and carbon footprint certification, were also introduced under the 'Net Zero Gate' program.

• Hanwha Ocean Holds Safety Culture Workshop... Spreading and Expanding Safety Culture

  ➀ Hanwha Ocean held a 'New Safety Culture Commitment Workshop' with executives to establish a safety vision of becoming the world's safest shipyard, aiming for all employees to return home safely;

  ➁ The company plans to implement a 'Safety Mind Program' for all employees (including partners) and prioritize safety education for new hires, while collaborating with global safety consulting firm JMJ;

  ➂ Invested over 600 billion KRW (~$480 million) in safety measures in 2023, exceeding initial plans, and secured 700 billion KRW (~$560 million) for 2024 safety investments.

• SK On Announces New All-Solid-State Battery Technology in International Journal

  ➀ SK On published research in ACS Energy Letters on improving all-solid-state battery lifespan by forming a protective layer on lithium metal anodes, increasing charge/discharge cycles from 100 to 300+;

  ➁ Collaborated with universities to identify degradation causes in polymer-oxide composite batteries, with findings published in Angewandte Chemie;

  ➂ Plans to commercialize polymer-oxide and sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries by 2028 and 2030, targeting enhanced safety and energy density.

• LX Hausys Holds Interior Customer Discount Event

  ➀ LX Hausys will hold a 'Jjin Festival' promotion from May 7 to June 8, offering overlapping benefits including product discounts, free gifts, and prize draws for interior contracts;

  ➁ Customers purchasing 'View Frame' windows will receive KRW 800,000 (≈$582) worth of turning doors, with additional discounts on flooring and wall storage products;

  ➂ Contracts over KRW 50 million (≈$36,300) receive goblet wine sets, while lottery prizes include Apple AirPods Pro, Dyson Airwrap, and Korean Air gift cards.

• LG Energy Solution Unveils First Long-Life LFP ESS at 'InterBattery Europe'

  ➀ LG Energy Solution introduced new ESS products using LFP batteries at InterBattery Europe 2025, highlighting enhanced energy density and a stackable design for maximized space efficiency;

  ➁ The JF2S cell (produced in Poland) offers 2.7x higher capacity and 15,000-cycle lifespan, while the JF1R residential ESS enables quick installation;

  ➂ A pilot Battery Passport system aligned with EU regulations was showcased to ensure traceability and carbon footprint tracking.

• Samsung Display's Polarizer-Free OLED Wins 'Display of the Year Award' at SID

  ➀ Samsung Display received the SID's 'Display of the Year Award' at the 2025 Display Week for its LEAD technology, which eliminates polarizers in OLED panels.

  ➁ The polarizer-free OLED technology reduces external light reflection, increases brightness by 80%, lowers power consumption, and makes panels 20% thinner compared to traditional OLED.

  ➂ Initially applied to foldable smartphones, the innovation is now expanding to bar-type smartphones and IT products, with future applications expected in devices prioritizing low power and high brightness.

• LG Display Unveils 50% Stretchable Automotive Display at SID Expo

  ➀ LG Display announced a **50% stretchable micro-LED display** for vehicles at SID 2025, enabling flexible, button-like protrusions on touch;

  ➁ Showcased a **57-inch pillar-to-pillar display** (larger than its 40-inch commercialized version) with a **switchable privacy mode** and an **18-inch rollable OLED** hidden in car ceilings;

  ➂ Emphasized reliability across extreme temperatures (-40°C to 85°C).

May 5

• Gachon University Successfully Hosts 6th 'Gachon Mentor Job Fair'

  ➀ Gachon University hosted its 6th 'Gachon Mentor Job Fair,' featuring over 50 alumni mentors from industries like semiconductors, IT, finance, and biotechnology to provide one-on-one career guidance;

  ➁ Mentors shared practical advice on resume writing, interview strategies, and industry-specific insights, while counseling zones and free services like professional photo sessions were offered;

  ➂ The university emphasized its commitment to strengthening students' career readiness and expanding alumni networks.

• LG Refrigerators and Washing Machines Top Consumer Media Evaluations in North America and Europe

  ➀ LG's refrigerators and washing machines claimed No.1 rankings in 12 evaluations across 7 countries and 8 evaluations across 6 countries respectively;

  ➁ Key models like French door refrigerators received perfect scores in temperature control from Consumer Reports, while laundry products dominated top 5 spots in Portugal and swept 1st-7th places in U.S. evaluations;

  ➂ LG emphasized its commitment to enhancing core performance and energy efficiency through AI CoreTech to reinforce market leadership.

• Mini LED TV Shipments Expected to Surge 50% Amid Chinese Market Offensive

  ➀ Global mini-LED TV shipments are projected to grow by 50% in 2025, reaching 11.56 million units, driven by aggressive competition from Chinese companies like TCL and Hisense, which hold a combined 64% market share;

  ➁ Chinese firms leverage vertical integration in LCD panels and government subsidies to boost price competitiveness, while Samsung and LG expand mini-LED TV offerings to complement their premium OLED lines;

  ➂ OLED TV shipments will grow modestly by 7.1% to 6.79 million units, facing challenges due to higher prices and limited production capacity compared to mini-LED alternatives.

• Chinese Hisense Faces Class-Action Lawsuit in U.S. Over 'QD-less QD TV' False Advertising

  ➀ Hisense is facing a class-action lawsuit in the U.S., accused of falsely advertising QD TVs that allegedly lack meaningful quantum dot (QD) technology, misleading consumers into paying premium prices;

  ➁ The lawsuit claims Hisense models like QD5, QD7, and U7 series used minimal or no QD materials, which are critical for color accuracy in premium displays;

  ➂ This follows earlier lawsuits against Chinese TV makers, including TCL in California and a complaint by Hansol Chemical in South Korea over similar QD-related false advertising claims.

May 4

• LG Electronics CEO Jo Joo-wan Attends Microsoft CEO Summit for Second Consecutive Year

  ➀ Jo Joo-wan, CEO of LG Electronics, will attend the Microsoft CEO Summit in Redmond, Washington, from May 13, marking his second consecutive year at the event;

  ➁ The summit gathers global industry leaders to discuss economic trends, technological innovation, and business strategies;

  ➂ LG and Microsoft are deepening collaboration, including joint development of the AI agent 'Furion' and supply of cooling systems for Microsoft's AI data centers, following a partnership formalized at CES 2025 and further discussions in March 2025.

• OLED TV Shipments Expected to Reach Record High This Year... 7.8% Increase Year-on-Year

  ➀ Global OLED TV shipments are projected to reach a record 6.55 million units in 2025, marking a 7.8% year-on-year increase, surpassing previous peaks in 2021 and 2022;

  ➁ LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics dominate the market with a combined 76% share, with LG maintaining a 52.4% market share in 2024 and Samsung rapidly growing to 23.5%;

  ➂ OLED panel shipments are also rising, with Q1 2025 estimated at 1.4 million units (+10% YoY) and Q2 expected to hit a record 1.87 million units due to tariff policy impacts.

• The Information: NVIDIA Pursues Development of New China-Exclusive AI Chip

  ➀ NVIDIA is developing a new AI chip tailored for the Chinese market to comply with U.S. export controls, as reported by The Information;

  ➁ CEO Jensen Huang shared the plan during a visit to Beijing, following U.S. sanctions that added NVIDIA's existing China-specific chips (e.g., H20) to restricted lists, with new rules targeting memory bandwidth and I/O performance;

  ➂ The chip's specifications and release timeline remain undisclosed, but NVIDIA anticipates a potential quarterly loss of $5.5 billion due to the sanctions.

• LG Display Wins 7 Awards Across 3 Categories at LG Awards

  ➀ LG Display won 7 awards in three categories (Future Innovation, Experience Innovation, and Foundation Innovation) at the 2025 LG Awards;

  ➁ Its Auto Business Group received the Customer Satisfaction Award for securing direct orders from automakers using P-OLED displays, breaking the industry norm of supplying through automotive parts manufacturers;

  ➂ Additional achievements included deuterium material development for OLED, cost optimization through algorithms, and employee capability enhancement programs.

• US UDC Reports 11% YoY Increase in Q1 Operating Profit... 'Confident in OLED's Long-Term Growth'

  ➀ UDC reported Q1 revenue of $166.3 million (233 billion KRW) and operating profit of $69.7 million (98 billion KRW), with a 0.6% YoY revenue increase and 10.81% profit growth, driven by OLED market expansion;

  ➁ The CFO emphasized confidence in OLED's long-term growth despite global uncertainties, highlighting UDC's leadership in advanced OLED materials and patents;

  ➂ UDC announced a $100 million stock buyback and plans a Q2 dividend of $0.45 per share to enhance shareholder value.

• Kyung Hee University First in the World to Experimentally Confirm 'Circular Photogalvanic Effect' in 2D Weyl Semimetal

  ➀ Kyung Hee University researchers experimentally demonstrated the circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE) in 2D Weyl semimetals for the first time, enabling current control via light rotation direction;

  ➁ The ultrathin, flexible 2D material shows potential for miniaturized quantum devices, high-speed electronics, and spin-based optoelectronic applications;

  ➂ This breakthrough, involving international collaboration, marks a pivotal step toward practical quantum computing and next-gen energy conversion technologies.

May 3

• Therabody Launches Lightweight Massager 'Theragun Mini 3' with U.S. FDA Certification

  ➀ Therabody released the Theragun Mini 3, a 16% smaller and lighter massager than previous models, featuring a 180-minute battery life and Bluetooth connectivity for personalized recovery routines via its app;

  ➁ The device received FDA Class II certification and is clinically validated to improve muscle recovery, flexibility, and sleep quality;

  ➂ Priced at 289,000 KRW (approximately $222), it includes multiple massage tips and three-speed settings for customized use.

• Samsung Electronics: 'Experience OLED TV Picture Quality Directly Through Movies'

  ➀ Samsung showcases its 2025 OLED TVs and The Frame TV in stores using the trailer of 'Mission: Impossible: Final Recording' to highlight display quality;

  ➀ The campaign emphasizes OLED's high contrast ratio and vivid color performance, allowing visitors to experience cinematic visuals;

  ➂ Samsung is hosting an event until May 13 where participants can upload social media content for a chance to win movie tickets.

• S-Oil's Mobile App 'My S-Oil' Sees Rapid User Growth

  ➀ S-Oil's mobile app 'My S-Oil' surpassed 2 million downloads, driven by its 'Quick Refuel' feature enabling card-free payments and preset fueling options;

  ➁ A promotion until May 9 offers fuel coupons: 7,000 KRW (~$5.10) for first-time users and 2,000 KRW (~$1.45) for existing users;

  ➂ The app provides additional features like automatic bonus points, real-time price checks, e-receipts, and mobile gift card integration to enhance user convenience.

• NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Receives First Base Salary Increase in 10 Years

  ➀ NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's base salary increased by 49% to $1.5 million in 2024, with total compensation reaching $49.9 million (including $38.8 million in stock awards);

  ➁ NVIDIA's fiscal 2025 revenue surged 114% to $130.5 billion, with its stock price rising over 9x since late 2022, valuing Huang's 3.5% stake at $94 billion;

  ➂ Additional compensation included $3.5 million for security, consulting, and driver services, up from $2.2 million in 2023.

• Coway Opens First Direct Store in Gangwon: 'Coway Gallery' at AK Plaza Wonju Branch

  ➀ Coway opened its first direct-operated store in Gangwon Province, named 'Coway Gallery,' at AK Plaza Wonju Branch, expanding its nationwide presence to 22 stores (8 in department stores/malls);

  ➁ The store offers hands-on experiences and sales of flagship products like the 'Vrex Triple Chair,' 'Vrex Smart Mattress S8+,' water purifiers, air purifiers, and massage chairs;

  ➂ Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments for consultations can be made via Coway's official website.

• Hisense Launches 300-inch 4K Laser Beam Projector 'C2 Ultra' in South Korea

  ➀ Hisense's C2 Ultra projector offers a 300-inch 4K display with 110% BT.2020 color coverage and 3000 ANSI lumens, delivering cinema-level immersion and eye protection by blocking harmful blue light;

  ➁ Equipped with 240Hz refresh rate, MEMC technology, Xbox certification for gaming, and a 2.1-channel JBL sound system with DTS Virtual 3D surround sound for enhanced audio-visual experiences;

  ➂ Features 360-degree projection flexibility, ISO 27001 security certification, and is available via Coupang with a 2-year warranty and Rocket Delivery service.