Apple has been keen on adopting miniLED backlighting for its devices. The US vendor is said to be funding its suppliers' SMT capacity expansions that will support Apple's demand for miniLED backlighting. Foundry capacity shortfall has triggered a wave of wafer fab expansions. Six-inch fabs are now also becoming targets of acquisition by car chip vendors. But automotive chip supply has begun improving, buoyed by more capacity support from foundry houses.

Apple seeking more SMT capacity for mini LED-backlit devices: Apple reportedly will be making a rare investment to expand surface mounting technology (SMT) assembly capacity at its partners to satisfy demand for its miniLED-backlit devices including the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and upcoming MacBook series, according to supply chain sources.

Six-inch fabs become acquisition target: Six-inch wafer fabs have become acquisition targets of automotive power semiconductor companies, as well as Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Tesla, both of which are looking to tap into the automotive power IC market segment, according to industry sources.

Automotive IC shortage starts easing: The shortage of automotive chips has begun to ease recently, buoyed by additional capacity support from foundries, according to industry sources.

By DIGITIMES