Reinventing the Millennium

The scenery of the president's office on the 23rd floor of Yike is the same as before. It seems that there are just as many documents on the desk as before.

Fang Zhuo didn't open the document, drank a new cup of tea, walked around the window for a while, and then came back to his senses and it was time for the meeting.

Today was originally a meeting to sort out Yike's global business, but due to the leakage of Apple's latest products, there was an additional 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 current Apple models on the market. Then he was ecstatic to appreciate it, which made the iPhone 5, which was supposed to be released in a week, advance. Available.

It sounds like a coincidence. When discussing, everyone can't help but guess whether this is the opponent's promotion of popularity in advance...

However, 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 announced appearance, the iPhone 5 is probably the one that has changed the most among Apple’s products in recent years, with the body size reaching 4.8 inches and the screen size also increasing to 4.2 inches.

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

"Mr. Fang, is this Steve Jobs's design?" Liu Qiangdong asked what many people were thinking.

"I haven't discussed this with him." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "But just like we have already established a project internally, he should know what this generation is like. However, how much has changed between the version released now and that time... …I’ll ask Cook later.”

Everyone in the conference room nodded. They were still very curious about the changes in important competitors. Simply judging from the look and feel of this generation of products, this seemed to symbolize the changes from the Steve Jobs era to the Cook era.

After careful analysis, if the iPhone 5 still has designs left over from Steve Jobs, next year it will all be led by Cook.

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

In addition to the appearance size, Yike has actually known the news about Apple's camera for a long time, because it uses a stacked CMOS camera from Bingxin Shencheng No. 2 Factory. As for the CPU, the latest news shows that Apple previously acquired P.A Semi. The company has vigorously recruited relevant engineers.

Judging from today's simple evaluation, the running score of Apple's chip is even higher than the quad-core Exynos released by Samsung last month, which proves that Apple's architectural optimization is very good.

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

"The current news is just a taste of it, but it seems that Samsung's product strength this year is indeed a bit worse." Fang Zhuo mused, "Apple's camera optimization is also good. This year, with our CMOS, it should be better than Samsung's." Illustration is strong.”

Ever since Yike pioneered photography with stacked CMOS, Sony's sensors have attracted much attention. This year, Apple gained production capacity, while Samsung used its own BSI back-illuminated CMOS.

In terms of hardware alone, the stacked type is better than the back-illuminated type. It can free up more pixel space and enable higher image quality optimization. On the basis of hardware, let’s look at the more targeted solutions and algorithms of each company.

Samsung's Trump campaign in July has been clearly criticized by various evaluation agencies. In view of the past advantages of Yike and Apple, there may be more and more clear reasons for its rejection this year.

Looking at it this way, 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 be equipped with the latest Snapdragon quad-core processor, which means it is struggling hard.

In the remaining months of this year, in addition to new machines from various manufacturers, there are also important sales in the global market, which makes it look a lot more lively.

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

He didn't talk much about Yike in the President's Office. He talked about domestic friends and the already distributed Conson mobile phone.

Since the release of Kesun mobile phone, it has mainly focused on online channels, relying on some of Yike's offline channels, and its product offensive has been quite fierce.

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

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

This change in the situation has given Kesheng Mobile a nickname in the industry, "Evil Lonely".

However, the development of Conexian Mobile has also brought about a problem, that is, Yike YMS has begun to disintegrate.

The referee's power ended, and brands with similar positioning expressed their dissatisfaction openly or covertly. How can people follow you and play with you?

Liu Qiangdong talked about the changes in this aspect in detail, because it involved the business that Qi He was responsible for, which also attracted criticism from that certain person.

During this period, Qi He was busy in Europe to develop the cloud business of small and medium-sized enterprises there. There were problems in the local market... Liu Qiangdong could understand the other party's mood, but he could not help but push forward his work.

"Product strength is the most important thing." After listening to the report, Fang Zhuo sighed with a smile, "When I was in Silicon Valley, I heard that Kesheng was called 'Yike's dog', but now it has become the villain of the Tigers, and the level has gone up. Yes."

Liu Qiangdong thinks these two words are 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 very 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. too much.

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 ecosystems. It’s precisely the brands that don’t slip out that are suffering, so they can’t also 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?

The high-end is blocked, is it going to make more efforts in the mid-range and low-end?

Yike, the leader of the four giants, just 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 ads for YMS, and significantly more ads 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 hold 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 put 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 the boss's intention. 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 canteen. Your marketing... pay attention." 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 "Zhurong" chips.

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 a signal had been turned on, UMC, one of the two companies in Taiwan, also officially announced that it would provide 28nm foundry production capacity by the end of the year.

Samsung and UMC announced the news of 28nm mass production breakthroughs one after another, successfully standing behind Taiwanese reporters and standing in front of manufacturers such as Global Foundries and Ice Core.

Ice Core CEO Qiu Ciyun, who transferred from France to Germany to continue the inspection, was captured by reporters and mentioned Ice Core's difficulties in advanced manufacturing processes.

"Congratulations to Samsung and UMC. They have always had an excellent team of engineers." Qiu Ciyun was very graceful. "About the 28nm of ice core... we did encounter some confusion."

He acknowledged the situation of ice core and stated: "However, I believe we will solve the problem soon and help ease the tension on 28nm."

Since the end of last year, Taiji has been continuously ramping up production capacity and building new production lines. However, the former has limited room to ramp up, and the latter takes longer. Intel, which also has 28nm mass production capacity, cannot OEM for external parties.

Therefore, 28nm wafer prices remain high and global production capacity is very tight.

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

Qiu Ciyun's interview was seen as proof that ice cores still haven't solved the problem.

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

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

Ice Core, which has always been quite mysterious and low-key, has not disclosed any more information to the outside world. Regarding 28nm, even Goldman Sachs, who was once again asked to prepare for the listing, is also very curious.

On August 26, Apple held a new product launch conference. Shao Zongming, vice president of Goldman Sachs, went to Yike headquarters to visit Mr. Fang to discuss issues related to the listing of Ice Core in Xiangjiang.

"Mr. Fang, can Ice Core mass-produce 28nm this year?" Shao Zongming asked the head of Ice Core face to face.

"Who knows, let's hope that our research and development will be successful by then. It is difficult to achieve such a world-class level." Fang Zhuohun said nonchalantly.

Shao Zongming coughed. The vague news could be released, but... Bingxin first suspended its listing on Nasdaq, and then went directly to Hong Kong to be listed. This will inevitably be questioned.

At this juncture, the process information that can demonstrate R\u0026D capabilities is not obvious enough, and the already affected valuation may be even more problematic.

He said tactfully: "Mr. Fang, 28nm is still news worth publicizing. Whether the Xiangjiang market recognizes ice cores may be greatly affected by such news."

"Then I can't change it, so you just stick to this first. If there is good news, Bingxin will of course notify you as soon as possible." Fang Zhuo shrugged, "If Xiangjiang doesn't recognize it, then don't recognize it. It doesn’t matter if the valuation is low, it means we have a lot of room for growth.”

Shao Zongming pursed his lips and said: "If this continues, there may not be 18 billion US dollars left."

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

When Fang Zhuo heard this, his eyes widened: "Who is to blame? Do you blame me? Could I have thought that the ice core would be restricted? This is force majeure!"

Shao Zongming suddenly felt his forehead getting hot, so good, so overwhelming.

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 trace of the mood of his colleagues who had been here. (End of chapter)