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Huawei Targets AI Chip Sales in Middle East and Southeast Asia Amid U.S. Competition

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Huawei Technologies is seeking to expand its AI chip footprint by attempting to export small quantities of its Ascend 910B AI chips to markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to a Bloomberg News report on Thursday. The Chinese telecommunications giant is reaching out to potential customers in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand as it aims to challenge the dominance of U.S. chip leader Nvidia in these regions.

Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Huawei is offering the older-generation Ascend 910B chips in the low thousands, although no deals have been finalized so far. Interest from parties in the UAE appears limited, while the status of discussions in Thailand remains unclear. Neither the Thai government nor Saudi Arabia’s media office responded to requests for comment, and Huawei did not immediately reply to Reuters’ inquiry.

In addition to the Ascend 910B, Huawei is promoting CloudMatrix 384, a China-based AI system powered by more advanced chips. However, due to supply constraints, the company is currently unable to export this system. The Middle East is becoming a hot market for AI chips, with several U.S. firms such as Nvidia announcing significant deals. Earlier this year, former U.S. President Donald Trump secured $600 billion in commitments for U.S. companies from Saudi Arabia during a regional tour.

Huawei is also focusing on selling its more advanced AI chip, the 910C, to Chinese customers who face restrictions accessing top-tier American chip technology. U.S. administrations have imposed export controls to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductor technologies, citing national security concerns related to military applications.

An Nvidia spokesperson noted that “With the current export controls, we are effectively out of the China datacenter market, which is now served only by competitors such as Huawei,” highlighting the competitive dynamics shaped by these restrictions.

Samsung unveils slimmer foldable phones to counter Chinese rivals and boost AI leadership

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Samsung Electronics on Wednesday revealed thinner and lighter foldable smartphones as it seeks to defend its premium segment against growing Chinese competition from Huawei and Honor, while Apple has yet to enter this niche market.

Having lost its global smartphone crown to Apple in 2023, Samsung is pushing to regain momentum by integrating AI features into its foldable devices. Mobile President and COO Choi Won-joon highlighted foldables combined with AI as poised to go mainstream, offering users a unique and differentiated experience. Samsung aims to lead in AI-powered smartphones by collaborating with partners like Google, contrasting Apple’s in-house AI approach that has faced delays.

Alongside the foldables, Samsung launched its first smartwatches featuring Google’s AI voice assistant Gemini, which offers personalized recommendations such as running locations.

Samsung’s premium strategy continues amid U.S. tariffs that could raise costs. The new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is 10% lighter and 26% thinner than the Fold 6 and priced 5% higher at $1,999. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE offers a more affordable option at $899. The Fold 7 uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, while the Flip 7 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos processors.

Analysts say the new models address bulkiness concerns and strengthen Samsung’s premium brand image. However, foldables remain niche with just 1.5% market share globally. Research firm Canalys expects foldable shipments to stay flat or slightly decline in 2025, with Samsung’s foldables accounting for 4% of total phone sales but 16% of sales over $800. Samsung’s dominance is challenged by strong Chinese sales, especially in China.

Samsung will focus foldable sales on the U.S., Europe, and South Korea. The company is also developing a tri-fold phone to launch by year-end, allowing users to fold the device three ways.

To prepare for U.S. tariffs, Samsung accelerated production and shipments destined for the U.S., manufacturing primarily in Vietnam, South Korea, and India. It is also mitigating China’s rare earth export restrictions by diversifying suppliers and increasing internal stockpiles.

Huawei aims to expand role in Brazil’s data center market amid pending tax incentives

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Chinese technology giant Huawei has expressed interest in strengthening its position as a supplier of data center solutions in Brazil, Reuters reported on Thursday. While Huawei clarified it does not plan to invest directly in data centers, the company is keen to provide connectivity, storage, and energy solutions for the growing market.

Huawei’s Latin America and Caribbean Vice President of Public Relations, Atilio Rulli, emphasized the importance of the Brazilian government implementing upcoming tax-break incentives designed to attract tech investments. “We want the government to implement these incentives, which are good for the country, and the time has to be now,” he said.

Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, is working to build a strong data center industry leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources. The government’s tax-break plan is expected to be sent to Congress soon, according to a finance ministry adviser.

The country has already attracted attention from major players such as ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, as part of its digital infrastructure expansion.

Huawei reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Brazil’s digital transformation with reliable, scalable, and sustainable data center solutions once government incentives come into force.