CHINESE SMARTPHONE
Local partner wanted for Xiaomi ‘home’ coming
The proposal is in the exploratory phase, but the Chinese technology company is set to begin evaluating potential Indian suppliers, according to one of the persons who did not wish to be identified. “It marks a natural progression for Xiaomi as it has committed to expanding beyond air purifiers into categories such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines,” the person said.
SanDisk stock crash deepens: Why did SNDK fall 19% today, wiping out 36% in six trading days?
SanDisk stock: SanDisk shares plunged more than 19% on Thursday, extending a six-session slide despite strong quarterly earnings and an upbeat forecast. Growing attention on China’s CXMT, pressure across memory stocks and concerns about data-centre expansion have added to the sell-off.
Tesla, Samsung oppose new US tariffs on Vietnam as probe deadline nears
Businesses are divided over whether Washington should propose new tariffs on Vietnamese goods this month, with Tesla and Samsung not in favour, while others have called for penalties, submissions to the US government show.
China’s 5,000-ton digging machines are a trade war risk to India
China is tightening export controls on tunnel-boring machines and other specialised construction equipment, raising concerns that the restrictions could disrupt India's infrastructure projects, particularly along the disputed Himalayan border.
Tesla, Samsung oppose new US tariffs on Vietnam as probe deadline nears
A trade investigation into Vietnam's intellectual property practices is nearing a conclusion with a November 29 deadline. Various industries have conflicting views on whether new tariffs should be imposed on Vietnamese goods. Tesla and Samsung are against additional tariffs, while steel and wood sectors advocate for penalties. Vietnam has faced escalating exports to the US, surpassing its previous trade standings.
A missed call for China is a loud wake-up call for desi companies
Indian smartphone brands Lava and Ai+ are gaining market share as Chinese rivals retreat amid soaring memory chip prices and shrinking demand. Domestic brands captured 7% of shipments in the September quarter, their highest share in nearly eight years. Government incentives and India's manufacturing expansion offer a boost, but technology, distribution, after-sales service and customer loyalty remain critical to sustained growth.
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Chinese smartphone brands lose India market share as chip costs soar
Chinese smartphone brands' market share in India decreased to 67-68% in the recent July-September quarter. This decline represents the lowest percentage seen in more than eight years. Companies like Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi are reducing their budget models due to high memory chip prices. Domestic brands such as Lava and Ai+ are gaining traction among price-sensitive consumers as a result.
A7 International: Global payments from crypto wallet to local fiat
Transactions across borders have always been a challenge, plagued by slow bank transfers, endless paperwork, and hidden fees. A7 International changes that by bridging the gap between crypto and traditional banking.
Lava MD Sunil Raina, CFO Rajesh Sethi exit amid turnaround
Raina, who has been with the company for 16 years, will step down by the end of December, according to people familiar with the matter. Sethi is currently serving his notice period. Earlier, chief manufacturing officer Sanjeev Agarwal quit the company to join memory maker Micron.
Smartphones need some new smart sell
India's smartphone sales are in a slump, mirroring a global decline. Consumers are increasingly opting to hold onto their devices longer, while premium brands like Apple and Samsung show more resilience than their mass-market competitors. The industry appears to have hit a technological plateau, with minimal advancements noted. This slowdown may pave the way for future innovations that provide more essential features for users.
Sony India TV, audio sales stay flat in FY26 despite GST boost
Overall revenue from operations grew a marginal 0.9% to ₹7,918 crore, while net profit rose 19% to ₹187 crore. The company's other businesses, comprising gaming consoles and digital cameras, recorded modest growth, with revenue increasing to ₹1,389 crore from ₹1,322 crore in FY25.
Price shock trumps festive cheer as India smartphone shipments hit decade low
India's smartphone market faced a 26% decline in shipments in Q3 2026 compared to the previous year. Factors like rising prices and cautious consumer spending reduced replacement demand for smartphones. Samsung regained the top market position, shipping 6.7 million units with a strong premium portfolio. Apple also entered the top five, driven by demand for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 models.
US banning Chinese AI DeepSeek from government agency IT systems
The department is also banning acquisition of DeepSeek products and third-party services developed using DeepSeek by US civilian government agencies. DHS said DeepSeek models pose "multiple threat vectors" and raised concerns that use of the product "may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC if used by US government employees or vendors."
India's smartphone shipments slip 26 pc to decade-low in Q3, Samsung regains top spot: Report
Major Chinese players Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi are estimated to have seen a decline in shipments while Samsung regained top position despite a marginal dip in shipments.
Homegrown firms enter budget smartphone market as memory chip prices rise
India's budget smartphone market is opening up for local brands as global companies reduce their presence. Rising memory chip prices have significantly impacted entry-level smartphone production costs. Homegrown companies Ai+ and Lava are gaining traction in this competitive segment. Micromax plans to re-enter the smartphone market by evaluating various strategies. Brands aim to leverage the government's financial incentives under the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to succeed.
Global Market: Why China’s CXMT is putting global memory chip giants under pressure
Global semiconductor stocks tumbled as Chinese chipmaker CXMT’s reported progress on a new memory chip design raised concerns about intensifying competition. Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron face potential pricing pressure as Chinese manufacturers seek to narrow the technology gap. The selloff also reflects growing scrutiny of AI valuations and whether heavy investment in AI infrastructure will deliver sustainable returns.
AI boom drives record sales at Dutch tech giant ASML
ASML, a leading Dutch technology firm, has announced unprecedented profits, fueled by a surge in demand for semiconductor manufacturing related to artificial intelligence. The company projects annual sales between 44 and 45 billion euros, exceeding earlier forecasts. ASML's cutting-edge equipment is vital for crafting advanced chips used in emerging tech.
New bamboo-reinforced plastic absorbs electromagnetic waves while improving strength and toughness
Bamboo has been turned into a plastic composite by scientists at Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, China, that should have greater mechanical strength and soak up electromagnetic interference. The material is a modified bamboo biochar mixed with two biodegradable plastics, polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT).
Too pricey to sell? Apple cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders by 20%, Duo faces similar risk
Apple has reduced component orders for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max by 15%. This reduction is a response to weaker-than-expected demand for these premium models. Concerns about the upcoming iPhone Duo's reception have also emerged due to high pricing. The delayed launch of the standard iPhone 18 could further impact overall sales. Memory chip shortages are also affecting smartphone prices across the industry.
View: India-China thaw faces major economic tests
India and China are working to improve their diplomatic relations following past military tensions over border disputes. Recent measures include relaxed restrictions on foreign direct investment and increased export activity from India to China. However, India's reliance on Chinese imports for critical industries poses significant challenges. The unequal economic relationship remains a concern for India's long-term strategies.
Apple plans to sell six million iPhone Duo units this year: Report
The phone, priced at $1,999, is set for release in October. In India, the 256 GB variant costs Rs 2,99,900, the 512 GB one costs Rs 3,24,900, Rs 3,74,900 for the 1 TB device, and Rs 4,49,900 for the 2 TB phone.
Amazon, Walmart's Flipkart launch review of unlicensed security camera listings on India platforms
Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart have begun checking security camera listings on their platforms in India after hundreds of unlicensed products were offered for sale despite strict government testing rules imposed six months ago amid
Huawei unveils Mate 90 phones, leans on homegrown chip design to offset US curbs
Huawei has showcased its Mate 90 smartphone series, enhancing performance with new chip technology and HarmonyOS 7. The latest models feature Huawei's Kirin 9050 Pro chip, utilizing an innovative LogicFolding architecture. As smartphone prices rise in China, Huawei has adjusted its pricing strategy to stay competitive in the market. While Apple's new foldable phone enters the market, Huawei maintains a dominant share in foldable phones.
Apple scores A+ for record $13 billion iPhone exports from India
Total smartphone exports in the April-August period rose about 36% from a year earlier to $15.96 billion, and as much as 98% of the incremental increase came from iPhones alone, show data available with ET.
Lessons from Chinese AI Firms on Owning Customers’ Habits
As U.S. AI firms compete in an escalating race for superior models, bigger benchmarks, and more advanced features, Chinese companies are pursuing a fundamentally different strategy: embedding AI into users’ everyday habits. The authors argue that this “habit moat” approach may prove more durable than competing on raw capability alone. Whereas Western firms position AI as a destination consumers consciously visit, companies like Alibaba integrate AI into existing routines such as shopping, payments, food delivery, and travel booking, reducing friction until using AI becomes automatic behavior. Once AI capabilities become “good enough,” marginal technical improvements matter less than becoming the default path through recurring customer tasks. The authors outline four strategic imperatives for Western leaders: focus on behavioral cues rather than feature gaps, subsidize customer behavior instead of subscriptions, embed AI invisibly into existing workflows, and optimize for repeat usage rather than first-time adoption. The central warning is stark: AI may not replace employees first—it may instead capture the critical customer moments businesses currently own.
India smartphone prices jump 16% in first half of 2026; market seen shrinking double digits
Average smartphone selling prices in India rose by 16% year-over-year in the first half of 2026. OnePlus, however, managed to keep its price increase to just 8%, distinguishing itself from competitors. Entry-level devices saw an average price increase of 32%, resulting in a significant 65% drop in shipments. Meanwhile, premium smartphones priced above Rs 20,000 continued to grow, benefiting from trade-in programs.
Midwest Energy to set up Rs 250-crore rare earth magnet plant in Hyderabad
Midwest Energy is setting up India’s first sintered NdFeB magnet plant in Hyderabad, with commercial production expected to begin by mid-October at an initial capacity of 500 tonnes a year. The company plans to scale capacity to 5,000 tonnes by December 2027, aiming to reduce India’s near-total dependence on imported rare-earth permanent magnets.
Trump’s dinner for Xi Jinping looks more like a Silicon Valley Summit, but China CEO's are missing; here's the guest list
US President Donald Trump's dinner with Chinese Supremo Xi Jinping is currently the talk of the tech industry as most of the business elites are invited to attend the high profile event. Here's a tentative guest list on who all are expected to at tonight's supper at the White House.
Samsung Galaxy S27 pro leak: Samsung’s next flagship may bring a change fans have awaited for years; check expected upgrades
Samsung’s Galaxy S27 lineup could mark a change in the company’s long-standing battery strategy, with leaked certification figures pointing to higher-capacity cells for both the Ultra and Pro models. The reported upgrade comes as Chinese smartphone brands continue offering much larger batteries, while Samsung may also rely on a newer Snapdragon processor to improve overall power efficiency.
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