Chapter 1280 Force Majeure (4k)

The view of the president's office on the 23rd floor of Yike is exactly the same as before, just like there are as many documents on the desk as before.

Fang Zhuo did not open the documents, but sipped a cup of fresh tea, walked by the window for a while, and when he came to his senses, it was time for the meeting.

Today was supposed to be a review meeting of Yike's global business, but because of the leak of Apple's latest products, there was an episode of competitive product analysis.

Last night, a foreign reporter picked up an Apple mobile phone in a bar. After careful identification, he found that it was completely different from the Apple models currently on the market. Then he appreciated it ecstatically, making the iPhone5, which was supposed to be released a week later, available ahead of schedule.

It sounds a bit coincidental, and everyone can't help but speculate whether this is a competitor hyping up the heat in advance...

But this model and a lot of information that has been leaked confirm that the authenticity of the product should be no problem.

Judging from the published appearance, the iPhone5 is probably the one with the biggest changes in Apple's products in recent years. The body size has reached 4.8 inches and the screen size has also increased to 4.2 inches.

This size change is the second time since the launch of the Apple mobile phone.

"Mr. Fang, is this Jobs' design?" Liu Qiangdong asked the question that many people were thinking.

"I haven't discussed this with him." Fang Zhuo smiled, "But as we have already established the project internally, he should know what this generation is like. However, how much has the current version changed from that time... I'll ask Cook later."

Everyone in the conference room nodded. They were still very curious about the changes of important competitors. From the perspective of this generation of products, it seems to symbolize the change from the Jobs era to the Cook era.

Carefully analyzing, if the iPhone 5 still has the design left by Jobs, it must be all led by Cook next year.

Liu Qiangdong said: "I saw the latest news today. This year's Apple still continues the dual-core, which is different from us and Samsung."

In addition to the appearance and size, Yike actually knew the news about Apple's camera a long time ago, because the opposite side uses the stacked CMOS camera issued by Bingxin Shencheng Second Factory. As for the CPU, the latest news shows the effect of Apple's previous acquisition of P.A Semi and the vigorous recruitment of related engineers.

From today's simple test, the running score of Apple's chip is even higher than that of Samsung's quad-core Exynos released last month, which proves that Apple's optimization in architecture is excellent.

In the second half of this year, with the news revealed by various parties or the actions that have been given, it can almost be said that the quad-core era has arrived. In this case, Apple A6 is undoubtedly surprising.

"The current news is just a taste of freshness, but Samsung's product strength this year does seem to be a bit worse." Fang Zhuo pondered, "Apple's camera optimization is also good. This year, with our CMOS, it should be better than Samsung's back-illuminated type."

Ever since Yike used stacked CMOS to show its camera style, Sony's sensors have attracted much attention. This year, Apple has obtained production capacity, and Samsung uses its own BSI back-illuminated CMOS.

In terms of hardware alone, stacked type is stronger than back-illuminated type, which can free up more pixel space and can optimize higher image quality. On the basis of hardware, we can look at the more targeted solutions and algorithms of each company.

Samsung's Trump in July has been clearly exposed by various evaluation agencies. Given the advantages of Yike and Apple in the past, there are more and more clear reasons for its cold reception this year.

From this point of view, Samsung might as well wait for everyone to release products together.

Apple in August, Yike in September. Now because Samsung does not carry Qualcomm's quad-core chip, Nokia has released news that it will carry the latest Snapdragon quad-core processor, which means it will struggle hard.

In the remaining months of this year, in addition to the new phones of various manufacturers, there will be important promotions in the global market, which will make it look much more lively.

Near noon, the meeting ended, and Liu Qiangdong reported the situation separately.

He did not talk much about Yike in the president's office, but talked about domestic friendly companies and the already distributed Kesheng mobile phone.

Since the release of Kesheng mobile phone, it has mainly used online channels and relied on some of Yike's offline channels. The product offensive is quite fierce.

Moreover, the support given by China Unicom this time is also very strong.

When OPPO wanted to try to gain a foothold in the mid-to-high-end market with the help of Qualcomm chips, its basic market was challenged by Kesheng mobile phones.

This change in the situation has earned Kesheng mobile phones a nickname in the industry, "evil accomplice".

However, the efforts of Kesheng mobile phones also brought a problem, that is, Yike YMS began to disintegrate.

The referee's power was removed, and brands with similar positioning expressed dissatisfaction, either explicitly or implicitly. How can people play with you?

Liu Qiangdong talked about the changes in this regard in detail, because it involved the business that Qi He was responsible for, and it also attracted some complaints from that person.

Qi He was busy in Europe during this period, focusing on the cloud business of small and medium-sized enterprises there, and there were problems in the local market... Liu Qiangdong could understand the other party's feelings, but he couldn't help but promote his own work.

"Product strength is still the most important." Fang Zhuo smiled and sighed after listening to the report, "When I was in Silicon Valley, I heard that Kesheng was called 'Yike's dog', and now it has become the evil lackey of the tiger. The level has risen."

Liu Qiangdong felt that both words were quite derogatory.

"It is difficult for YMS to reach a certain level because brands in the entire market are converging. Oppo always has its own ideas, and Samsung and Nokia will not come close to it." Fang Zhuo expressed his thoughts on the changes in YMS, "Intelligent In the end, there are only a few brands in the mobile phone market, and YMS can attract only a few.”

At the beginning, many manufacturers were willing to join YMS, including mobile phone brands that started their own businesses from Yike Company, and they responded positively. However, after the big wave, small brands began to die gradually. The immediate interests were more important than the long-term interests, so they could not care about it. Much more.

Today's YMS is still a strong force, with brands such as Meizu, Kesheng, and Hanwang. However, with Yike's investment in Kesheng, they have to consider whether there is a better position.

Small brands want to make a fortune before they die, while big brands want to build their own ecology. It is precisely the brands that are not slipping out of the market that are more uncomfortable. They can't sell their shares to Yike, right?

The problem is, Yike doesn’t want that many.

Both a referee and a player, how are we going to play in this smartphone market?

A vaguely cruel fact seems to be revealed.

It may really be impossible to play in the future. There is still growth now, and we can dig into the lower markets. When Yike continues to free up its hands, I am afraid the competition will become even more intense.

What is even more paradoxical is that it is now widely rumored that Yike is facing a "swan song" crisis. However, even if it is really a swan song, Yike will only be hindered by its high-end, right?

With the high-end blocked, is it going to focus more on the mid- and low-end?

Yike, the leader of the four giants, already dominates the smartphone market, and many manufacturers and players already feel a little suffocated.

"However, everyone still recognizes our ecology, which is also one of the reasons for the outbreak of Conexian mobile phones." Liu Qiangdong added.

There are very few advertisements for YMS, and significantly more advertisements for the non-YMS camp.

This is the word of mouth since the emergence of YMS.

This kind of reputation alone is not enough to make consumers choose mobile phones such as Kesheng and Hanwang. However, when reputation and product strength are combined, the effect of conquering the city will come out.

The past four years have also been a stage of cultivating awareness for domestic consumers. The performance, lag, advertising, system and other user experiences of mobile phones all take time.

As time goes by, YMS's "simple beauty" becomes effective, and it begins to force other manufacturers to choose.

Yike's reputation in this regard is here. If you don't follow it and it has begun to substantially affect sales, how can you choose?

In addition to consumer recognition of YMS, software vendors, competitors, and advertising sponsors all have to pinch their noses and make do with it.

Yike's size and influence are here, there is nothing he can do.

"Over at YMS, wait for Qi He to come back and see what his thoughts are." Fang Zhuo heard Liu Qiangdong's concerns and said, "Let it be natural now. Anyway, the reputation has been established. We respect everyone's coming and going. Free, I really want to abandon YMS, but I’m not stuck anymore.”

YMS has signed agreements with its friends, such as the cooperation with Sogou, which is divided into real money. Yike only takes a very small amount, and a small amount of advertising revenue is distributed.

However, this income scale and distribution method began to have difficulties.

Liu Qiangdong nodded. The company can block it, but it's not necessary.

"Do you think Conexian mobile phone can be launched on the market?" Fang Zhuo asked casually, thinking of his old friend.

Liu Qiangdong had not considered this issue for the time being. After thinking about it for a while, he said: "The competition in the entry-level mobile phone market is still very fierce. If the volume of Conex mobile phones becomes larger, it will be difficult for them not to make the decision to take advantage of the market. Whether it goes public or not...may not be up to them.”

This probably depends on Yike, which itself holds shares and occupies the mid-to-high-end market.

Fang Zhuo pondered for a while and said with a smile: "Let's see what their 'Morning Light' series can do. If the iteration is good, I think Yike has a rival that can bring a certain degree of competition, which is actually not bad."

Liu Qiangdong's eyes moved slightly, and he understood what his boss meant. There was a high probability that he would not hinder the listing based on Kesheng's own situation.

"Let's go and have a meal in the cafeteria. Pay attention to your marketing..." Fang Zhuo stood up, thinking of the "swan song" that spread from the local market to overseas markets.

This wave of emotional blessings arising from the ice core... With the lack of movement in the next generation of ice core production, it seems to be more solid.

Why is there no movement at 28nm in the ice core? Have you encountered hidden obstructions in purchasing equipment?

When ice cores are really limited, many people believe that there may be off-site factors, and they are worried about the future of the "Zhurong" chip.

Zhu Rong had a difficult delivery and was replaced by Qualcomm. This was not a swan song.

Fang Zhuo thought that this amplified emotion could be contained, but including Yu Hong, she only had one attitude - it was indeed very useful.

Yike in the morning, and another meeting of the semiconductor working group in the afternoon.

In the evening, Fang Zhuo had just arrived home and before he had a word with Su Wei, he received the latest news.

Samsung finally has news about 28nm, announcing that it will start mass production in the fourth quarter and gradually increase production capacity.

Following the successful mass production of Taiji at the end of last year, the world finally has clear news about the production capacity of the second wafer foundry company.

Samsung, it has to be Samsung.

Just two days before the outside world praised it, as if the signal was turned on, UMC, one of the two giants in Taiwan, also officially announced that it would provide 28nm foundry capacity by the end of the year.

Samsung and UMC announced the news of the breakthrough in 28nm mass production one after another, successfully standing behind Taiji and standing in front of manufacturers such as GlobalFoundries and Bingxin.

Qiu Ciyun, CEO of Bingxin, who went from France to Germany to continue his inspection, was captured by reporters and mentioned Bingxin's difficulties in advanced processes.

"Congratulations to Samsung and UMC, they have always had a very good team of engineers." Qiu Ciyun was very graceful, "Regarding Bingxin's 28nm... We did encounter some confusion."

He acknowledged Bingxin's situation and stated: "But I believe we will soon solve the problem and help ease the tension of 28nm."

Since the end of last year, Taiji has been continuously climbing capacity and building new production lines, but the former has limited room for climbing, and the latter takes longer, and Intel, which also has 28nm mass production capacity, does not do foundry work for the outside world.

Therefore, the price of 28nm wafers remains high, and global production capacity is very tight.

Samsung and UMC announced a breakthrough, which is also good news in the industry.

Qiu Ciyun's interview is regarded as a proof that Bingxin has not solved the problem.

Does Bingxin still have the ability to solve the mass production of 28nm?

Without the future of EUV, it seems that even the status quo cannot be maintained now?

Bingxin, which has always been quite mysterious and low-key, has not disclosed more external news, and even Goldman Sachs, which was asked to prepare for listing again, is very curious about 28nm.

On August 26, Apple held a new product launch conference. Goldman Sachs Vice President Shao Zongming went to Yike headquarters to visit Mr. Fang to discuss issues related to Bingxin's listing in Hong Kong.

"Mr. Fang, can Bingxin mass produce 28nm this year?" Shao Zongming asked the head of Bingxin in person.

"Who knows, let's hope, then we will write that our research and development is going smoothly, this kind of world-class level is originally difficult." Fang Zhuo said nonchalantly.

Shao Zongming coughed. The vague news can be released, but... Bingxin first stopped listing on NASDAQ, and then went directly to Hong Kong for listing, which is bound to be questioned.

At this juncture, the process news that can demonstrate R&D capabilities is not obvious enough, and the valuation that has been affected may be more problematic.

He said tactfully: "Mr. Fang, 28nm is still a news worth promoting. Whether the Hong Kong market recognizes Bingxin may be greatly affected by such news."

"Then I can't change it. You just do it like this. If there is good news, Bingxin will of course notify you as soon as possible." Fang Zhuo shrugged, "If Hong Kong doesn't recognize it, then don't recognize it. It doesn't matter if the valuation is low. It means that we have a lot of room for growth."

Shao Zongming pursed his lips and said: "If this goes on, there may not be $18 billion."

$18 billion is the valuation of the last round of financing by Goldman Sachs and other shareholders. At that time, Mr. Fang was very confident that he could support it with performance.

Fang Zhuo's eyes widened when he heard this: "Who to blame? Blame me? Did I expect that Bingxin would be restricted? This is force majeure!"

Shao Zongming suddenly felt his forehead getting hot. Good, good, good force majeure.

He thought about Goldman Sachs' last round of investment, looked at the floor-to-ceiling windows on the 23rd floor of Yike, and felt a little bit of the feelings of his colleagues who had been here.