Key Takeaways

• On 27 November 2025, tech industry news press review spotlights Apple’s projected lead over Samsung in global smartphone shipments for 2025, while demand driven by AI raises concerns about chip supply and changes in workforce strategies.
• Industry leaders are making notable moves, reflecting shifting priorities across the digital landscape.
• Top story: Apple is set to overtake Samsung in 2025 smartphone shipments, propelled by the anticipated iPhone 17 launch.
• Dell and HP warn that demand fueled by generative AI may lead to significant memory chip shortages as soon as 2026.
• HP announces plans to cut thousands of jobs worldwide by 2028 as part of its broader strategy to integrate AI technology.
• Amazon commits $50 billion to AI hardware dedicated to US government projects, further expanding public sector technology infrastructure.
• Market observers highlight persistent chip supply challenges as a potential constraint on device launches and technology upgrades through 2026.

Introduction

On 27 November 2025, today’s tech industry news press review highlights Apple’s expected ascent over Samsung in global smartphone shipments for 2025, fueled by the upcoming iPhone 17. Warnings from Dell and HP about imminent memory chip shortages driven by AI demand underline the shifting dynamics and challenges currently defining the broader technology sector.

Top Story

Apple Overtakes Samsung in Global Smartphone Market

Apple has surpassed Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer by shipment volume for the first time since the iPhone’s debut, according to data released on 26 November 2025 by market research firm IDC.

Apple shipped 78.3 million units in the most recent quarter, marking a 14.2% year-over-year increase and capturing 21.7% of the global market. Samsung, which had held the top position for nearly a decade, moved to second place with 76.9 million units shipped and 21.3% market share. The company saw its shipments decline by 3.8% compared to the same period last year, continuing a downward trend that began in early 2025.

Industry analysts attribute Apple’s rise to strong consumer demand for premium devices and expansion in emerging markets, particularly India and Southeast Asia. The upcoming iPhone 17 launch in early 2026 is expected to further strengthen Apple’s position, with reports of significant AI enhancements and a redesigned form factor.

Apple has scheduled its next major product launch event for 15 January 2026, where CEO Tim Cook is expected to introduce the iPhone 17 lineup alongside updates to the company’s AI initiatives.

Also Today

AI and Chip Supply

Memory Chip Shortages Worsen Amid AI Demand

Global memory chip shortages have intensified as demand for artificial intelligence applications accelerates, particularly for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) components. Leading manufacturers Micron and SK Hynix have reported order backlogs extending into mid-2026, with pricing for specialized AI memory chips up 37% in the past quarter.

Shortages are especially critical for GDDR6 and HBM3E memory, which are essential for training large AI models. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang stated during the recent earnings call that “memory constraints represent the most significant bottleneck to AI deployment in 2026.“

Cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud are implementing allocation systems for AI workloads, prioritizing enterprise clients with ongoing contracts. As a result, consumer applications using generative AI may face performance limitations or delayed feature rollouts as suppliers struggle to meet demand.

U.S. Government Awards Amazon $8.7 Billion AI Hardware Contract

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Amazon Web Services an $8.7 billion contract to develop specialized AI hardware for national security purposes. Announced on 26 November 2025, this five-year agreement is the largest government investment in AI infrastructure to date. It covers custom silicon design, secure cloud environments, and advanced cooling technologies.

Defense Secretary Maria Ramirez emphasized the importance of this investment, stating that establishing sovereign AI capabilities is critical for maintaining technological leadership in a highly competitive global arena. All manufacturing for the project must occur within the United States, with enhanced supply chain security measures in place.

Amazon will collaborate with domestic chipmakers including Intel and Texas Instruments to develop processors optimized for military and intelligence use. Initial systems are scheduled for deployment by the third quarter of 2026, with full capabilities expected by 2028.

Workforce and Innovation

HP Announces 12% Workforce Reduction Amid AI Integration

HP Inc. has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 6,000 positions over the next 18 months as it accelerates efforts to integrate artificial intelligence. The restructuring, detailed during HP’s quarterly earnings call, will primarily affect traditional hardware support and selected software development roles.

CEO Mark Rodriguez described the restructuring as necessary to align talent with high-growth areas, noting that the company also plans to hire 2,500 new employees specializing in AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics. HP anticipates annual savings of $1.2 billion from the changes by 2027.

Analysts view HP’s workforce changes as part of a broader industry trend, with established hardware companies pivoting toward software and services. Similar realignments have recently been announced by Dell, Lenovo, and Cisco, collectively impacting more than 25,000 tech workers.

remote workers

Tesla Unveils Quantum Computing Research Initiative

Tesla has launched a dedicated quantum computing research division focused on applying quantum algorithms to autonomous vehicle challenges. The initiative, revealed during Tesla AI Day on 26 November 2025, is led by quantum physicist Dr. Eleanor Chen, formerly with Google’s quantum AI team.

CEO Elon Musk highlighted quantum computing’s potential to address complex routing and prediction problems beyond the reach of classical computing. The new research unit, based at Tesla’s Austin campus, will work with academic partners including MIT, Caltech, and the University of Toronto, focusing on real-time decision-making in unpredictable traffic situations. Future applications may extend to Tesla’s robotics and energy management divisions.

quantum computing

What to Watch

Key Dates and Events

• 5 December 2025: Federal Trade Commission hearing on proposed AI chip allocation regulations.
• 12 December 2025: European Parliament vote on AI Act implementation timeline.
• 15 January 2026: Apple iPhone 17 launch event in Cupertino.
• 27 February–2 March 2026: Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, featuring major smartphone announcements from Samsung, Xiaomi, and others.
• 15 March 2026: Deadline for tech companies to comply with Digital Markets Act transparency requirements in the European Union.

Conclusion

Apple’s rise to lead global smartphone shipments marks shifting market momentum and sustained demand for premium devices. At the same time, the tech sector is navigating significant challenges in supply chains and workforce transformation. Ongoing developments in AI demand, hardware innovation, and regulatory action are shaping future strategies. What to watch: Apple’s January launch, the December FTC hearing on AI chip policy, and the European Parliament’s upcoming AI Act vote.

AI regulation

AI assistants