Global Scans · Hardware · Weekly Summary

• [New] Smartphone hardware in 2026 will be optimized for AI tasks, with advanced processors and memory enabling efficient AI computations. VERTU
• [New] As proven by the recent MediaTek vulnerability discovery, software wallets on smartphones are susceptible to OS-level attacks that hardware wallets like Ledger are designed to prevent. Bitget Wallet
• [New] AI infrastructure alone will add $401 billion in new spending as providers build out AI-optimized data centers and hardware. CloudZero
• [New] London-based hardware company Nothing is on track to release a pair of smart glasses in 2027. TechCrunch
• Custom ASIC shipments from cloud providers are projected to grow 44.6% in 2026, while GPU shipments are expected to grow 16.1%, signaling a decisive shift in the AI hardware landscape as hyperscalers increasingly invest in their own silicon. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• Geopolitical risk around Taiwan remains the single most discussed systemic threat to the global AI hardware supply chain, which is why the United States and Japan are investing heavily to encourage TSMC to build fabs abroad - efforts already well underway in Arizona. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• The hardware segment held a 61% share in 2025 and is projected to register a CAGR of 24.8% from 2026 through 2035. Yahoo Finance UK
• The second generation of Apple Intelligence is expected to be a major catalyst for a massive iPhone upgrade cycle in late 2026, as users seek the hardware necessary to run local autonomous agents that do not rely on a data center. The Chronicle-Journal
• Subscription Maturation: The potential for an Apple Prime bundle-combining hardware and all services into a single monthly subscription - could drastically increase Lifetime Value per user. / India FinancialContent
• Innovation going forward around foldable phones, an AI-enabled smartphone, new sleeker / affordable Apple Glasses, and future hardware developments will be the hearts and lungs of Apple's success. The Guardian
• Taiwan is seen as a major beneficiary of rising AI hardware demand, with ongoing capital spending expected to attract further investment. CommonWealth Magazine

Last updated: 05 May 2026