Shockingly, a counterfeit factory has produced a 3-nanometer chip.

Chapter 374 Lenovo Goes All In on Semiconductors?

Just as everyone was excited, Xiaobai Unboxing also posted a comment on Weibo:

"Everyone, calm down. The price reduction is just the beginning. ASML will not sit idly by."

Their next-generation DUV lithography machine should already be on the way, and we won't be able to make breakthroughs in immersion lithography or EUV lithography machines in the short term.

The domestically produced lithography machine has just come out, and its yield rate, stability, and mass production capabilities still need time to be tested.

We can be happy, but we can't get carried away.

This is the first victory in a protracted war.

After the unboxing of the new device was released, Transsion Technology's official Weibo account left a very subtle comment.

"The blogger is right, but..."

"Oh, the officials are here. Looks like there really is something else..."

I was originally going to say that Xiaobai was right and let us be happy for one night.

It seems it's been going on for more than just one night now.

The next morning, Asmayer's PR team discovered that their carefully prepared technological iterations and customer-friendly rhetoric had been interpreted as a complete mockery and celebration on the internet across the ocean.

Their staff translated one of the most popular comments using translation software:

"Back when you sold a lithography machine for 200 million, 300 million or even more, you said that was the price of cutting-edge technology. Now that you're selling it for 110 million, it's suddenly not cutting-edge technology anymore."

Stop pretending. Everyone knows why the price has dropped: it's made in China.

The accompanying image in the comments section of this Weibo post was a meme: "A panda wearing sunglasses and smoking."

The text above reads: "Sorry, we accidentally caused this again."

Looking at the news online, the public relations team also had a bad feeling. Could it be that their price reduction was still not enough?

But if we lower the price again, we'll really lose money.

Meanwhile, on the other side, at Lenovo's North Research Park in Kyoto, the headquarters of the Mobile Business Group.

Because of the issue of domestically produced lithography machines, coupled with being extorted when purchasing chips, a bold idea suddenly flashed through Zhou Jun's mind!

So he convened a meeting.

At this moment, a dozen or so heads of the mobile business are sitting at the conference table, each with a copy of the Taishan 710 purchase contract in front of them.

The unit price above is heartbreaking for everyone.

As for Liu Jun, his ashtray was already stuffed with seven or eight cigarette butts. He had quit smoking three years ago, and before, he had never considered smoking in the face of many complicated matters, but this time…

"$160..."

Liu Xin looked at the contract and sighed silently again.

"The Fire Dragon 800 was quoted to us for $45."

"If we sign this contract, we'll really get a great deal!"

No one else in the meeting room dared to respond, after all, they knew their boss was being sarcastic.

According to their investigation and the compilation of some past data, when Motorola S2 used the Taishan 900, the chip cost was only $50.

Now they have to spend $160 to buy a similar product, and the other party feels that Lenovo got a good deal.

"We really hit the jackpot!" Liu Jun said through gritted teeth again.

Product Director Wang Hui coughed lightly. He understood what Liu Jun meant, so he quickly followed suit:

"Mr. Liu, whether the performance is compromised or not is one thing, the key issue is that the sound transmission is blocking our necks."

They said they wouldn't sell the 9 Series, only the 7 Series.

Moreover, supply is also a problem.

If production capacity becomes tight, we'll be the first to be cut.

Supply chain director Li Min added, "I saw the people they sent, and they were all arrogant and looked down on us."

Previously, when we were working on the Taishan 610, we encountered a power consumption issue. We sent three emails to Transsion, but it took four days to get a reply.

If the same problem were handled by Huawei, it could be resolved in less than four hours.

This gap will widen further in the development cycle.

A collective sigh filled the conference room. At this moment, everyone was wondering if it was really a mistake to insist on going all in with telepathy.

At this moment, Liu Jun took a deep drag on his cigarette, stubbed it out, raised his head, glanced at everyone, and then voiced his biggest hesitation.

After all, his goal was going against the very foundation of Lenovo...

He himself could be the one to be killed by mistake.

"I have a direction, let's discuss it."

If we think it's feasible, we'll report it to General Manager Liu and see what the boss thinks.

Everyone nodded, but a small number of people lowered their heads even further; they genuinely didn't want to discuss the issue.

Looking at these complicated movements, Liu Jun hesitated...

"Should we develop our own chips?"

In short, his voice was soft, but it still had a huge impact on everyone.

Some people instantly understood his thinking and their eyes widened, while others looked down at the table below the stage, and still others whispered among themselves.

Wang Hui hesitated for a moment, but ultimately expressed his objection in a tactful manner.

"Mr. Liu, the investment in self-developed chips is not a small amount."

We cannot compare Transsion Semiconductor and HiSilicon Semiconductor, those two monsters.

Take MediaTek as an example. The R&D cost for them to develop a mobile SoC is about $2 million to $3 million, and the cycle is about 18 months.

We started from scratch, with no team, no IP, and no experience. Without $500 million, it would have taken at least two years to produce the first chip.

Even if it comes out, whether its performance can catch up with the mainstream is a question.

Li Min also shook her head: "Moreover, we have a deep cooperation with Qualcomm in the supply chain, and we also have a relationship with MediaTek."

We have always had a cooperative relationship with Transsion.

Once you start doing your own R&D, it creates a certain disconnect between you and all chip manufacturers.

"If we only produce a few samples to fool consumers, that's fine. But if we go into mass production, we'll really be at odds with them. What if they cut off supplies? What will we do during the transition period?"

At this moment, Cheng Hao, the senior manager of the strategy department, raised his hand. He felt that he was the only person among everyone present who understood Liu Jun.

So he said with a smile:

"I don't think that self-developed chips necessarily need to be put into production immediately."

First, initiate the project; first, recruit people; first, make promises. The capital market loves to tell stories, especially the story of self-reliance and control.

Look at Transsion, even though it doesn't want to go public, its valuation is soaring because it has its own chips.

"If we share this idea with Mr. Liu, we might actually get the project approved. As for the subsequent progress... if we encounter any problems, we can always use our self-developed chips as a backup. Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Liu Jun's lips twitched, as if he were smiling, yet also as if he wasn't.

He genuinely wanted to develop his own chips, but Lenovo's capabilities... that's already the best answer.

"Chen Hao is right. Self-developed chips don't necessarily have to be successful, but they must be announced."