Taiwan foundries expected to raise mature-node chip prices
台灣晶圓代工廠預計將提高成熟節點晶片的價格
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Prices for older mature-node semiconductor chips are set to rise, with Taiwan’s Vanguard International Semiconductor already raising rates by 4–8% in the first quarter, CTEE reported Tuesday.
Mature-node chips, generally 28 nm and larger, handle essential functions such as power management and connectivity. Even high-end smartphones with advanced 3 nm processors rely on dozens of these older chips, according to Gugu Fund. Demand is being driven by AI, as data centers require more power-management components. Institutional investors say supply shortages are likely to push foundry prices higher, with major Chinese foundries operating at full capacity and some prices rising about 10%. Foundries fabricate wafers but do not handle product design or sales, serving fabless firms like Nvidia and MediaTek, according to Stockfeel and Blackridge. Firms like Infineon and Renesas have placed advance orders, further straining availability. VIS focuses on 8-inch wafers, commonly used for mature-node chips, making its production a key indicator of supply-demand trends in the sector. The company currently produces about 280,000–290,000 wafers monthly, with capacity pushed near full utilization since late last year. Industry observers say that if demand for high-voltage power components for AI data centers continues, a second round of price increases is possible. VIS, now in its earnings blackout period, has not commented on related rumors. Higher-voltage architectures in AI data centers have boosted demand for components, as larger chip sizes reduce the number of chips per wafer and tighten supply. Analysts say continued AI demand, along with growth in automotive and industrial sectors, could push mature-node chip prices even higher. |
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| Charlotte Lee Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2026-01-27 |
