iPhone Could Jump by Up to RMB 1,350, and the Foldable Model May Start Above RMB 13,500
On August 2, local time, renowned tech journalist Mark Gurman reported that iPhone prices are expected to rise by $100 to $200 (roughly RMB 675 to 1,350).
In response to a reader’s question, Gurman stressed that Apple will definitely hike prices this year. The reasons include ongoing shortages of memory chips and main device processors, the higher cost of the brand-new camera system on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, not to mention the far more expensive design of Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
As for the foldable iPhone, Gurman advised users to brace themselves — it will start at no less than $2,000 (about RMB 13,507), and could go higher.
WeChat Official Platform Tightens Rules on SIM Card Sales via Internet Channels
On August 3, the WeChat Official Platform Operations Center issued a notice to regulate phone card sales via internet channels. To standardize SIM card sales, prevent user data leaks, and keep the content ecosystem healthy, the platform has laid out the following rules for number card services:
1. Business Entity Eligibility
SIM card-related services can only be offered by telecom operators. From the date of this notice, the platform will no longer support non-operator entities in selling SIM cards, driving traffic for card sales, or handling card activation on behalf of users. The platform has already removed the mini-program category “Phone Card Sales (China Unicom / China Telecom / China Mobile)” and will no longer support official account or service account certification for related businesses.
2. Existing Accounts Must Self-Audit and Rectify
Accounts that currently have related content are required to complete self-audit and rectification before August 11, including but not limited to: updating nicknames, avatars, or bios that promote SIM card sales or traffic generation; deleting related historical articles and content; removing related custom menus; and taking down content that directs users to third-party card-selling channels via links, QR codes, or external pages.
Official accounts or mini-programs that fail to rectify and continue operating after the deadline will be handled according to platform rules.
Zhiyuan Responds to Rumors of Chief Scientist’s Departure
On August 3, market rumors circulated that Luo Jianlan, chief scientist at Zhiyuan Robot, had recently left the company. In response, an official from Zhiyuan told the media: he has not resigned for now — it’s just an internal role adjustment.
On the same day, Zhiyuan’s official website released the full list of its partner team. The latest info shows the team includes veterans from Huawei, Google, Tencent, DJI, Cambricon, and other tech firms, with backgrounds spanning AI R&D, product engineering, global commercialization, and government-enterprise relations.
CXMT Raises Registered Capital to ~RMB 31.39 Billion, Up About 31%
According to the Tianyancha App, on July 30, CXMT (ChangXin Memory Technologies) underwent industrial and commercial changes, boosting its registered capital from roughly RMB 23.89 billion to about RMB 31.39 billion — a hike of around 31%.
The company was founded in November 2017, with Wu Liying as its legal representative. Its business scope includes integrated circuit design and IC chip manufacturing, and it is wholly owned by ChangXin Technology Group.
Ant Lingbo Set to Kick Off Independent Fundraising
On August 3, according to a report by Blue Whale News citing informed sources, Ant Group’s embodied AI company, Ant Lingbo Technology, is likely to begin independent fundraising. This marks a major shift for the “physical AI task force” backed by Ant Group — moving from being fully incubated by the group to facing the test of external capital markets.
The same source revealed that the core reason behind the independent fundraising is Ant’s strong conviction in embodied intelligence: “Lingbo is Ant’s key move in this space, and we want it to move faster.”
Samsung Foundry Sets 100% Capacity Utilization Target for H2 2026
On August 3, reports said Samsung Electronics’ foundry division is targeting 100% capacity utilization in the second half of 2026. Industry insiders note that Samsung’s foundry utilization currently sits at around 70% to 80%, and is nearing full capacity thanks to growing orders for HBM base chips and advanced process nodes.
Samsung’s foundry business had seen utilization dip below 50% since 2024 and had been stuck in losses for a long time. But as AI demand surges, major U.S. tech clients are ordering more HBM4 base chips and 2nm process chips, Samsung’s 4nm and advanced process lines are recovering — which should help improve its profit structure.
miHoYo Responds to Payment Dispute Between Partner and Creators
On the evening of August 2, miHoYo’s official account @Paimon’s Work Notes issued a statement saying the company had recently received reports from creators that payments for projects they took on via Yunnan Haoxi Culture Media Co., Ltd. had not been received as agreed. After an internal review, miHoYo confirmed that its own payments to Yunnan Haoxi had been settled per contract terms and project progress. miHoYo had already sent a formal letter to Yunnan Haoxi last week, demanding prompt resolution of the payment disputes with creators. However, after receiving the lawyer’s letter, Yunnan Haoxi neither took any corrective action nor showed a willingness to communicate. miHoYo has now terminated its partnership with Yunnan Haoxi and permanently added the company to its “miHoYo Blacklist of Partners.” miHoYo also said it will continue supporting creators in protecting their rights through legal channels and will cooperate with judicial authorities by providing necessary materials and assistance.
Brain-Computer Interface Firm Active Technology Closes RMB 330M Angel Round
On August 3, Shanghai Active Technology Co., Ltd. announced the completion of a RMB 330 million angel round. The round was led by CASSTAR, with participation from Lenovo Star, Jiuhe Venture Capital, Daotong Investment, Inno Angel Fund, BGI Songhe Life Science Fund, Jifeng Capital, and Jiadao Capital. The funds will primarily go toward expanding facilities, upgrading equipment, advancing clinical trials, and scaling up the team — all aimed at accelerating the clinical translation and industrial deployment of invasive brain-computer interface products.
