Components Suppliers Predict Face ID Boon: Report

“… one supplier involved in the VCSEL laser technology needed for Face ID, Win Semiconductors, posted revenues of about $149.47 million for Q2 of 2018, a 19.71 percent year-over-year increase.”

A new industry report offers further evidence that Apple is planning to bring its 3D facial recognition system to all of its new iPhones and even its new iPad devices this year.

The report arrives via DigiTimes, and is based on unnamed sources within Apple’s supply chain. The sources are involved in Taiwan-based suppliers of components needed for Apple’s Face ID system, and say they are optimistic about shipments for the second half of the year thanks to demand from the US smartphone maker.

As DigiTimes reports, one supplier involved in the VCSEL laser technology needed for Face ID, Win Semiconductors, posted revenues of about $149.47 million for Q2 of 2018, a 19.71 percent year-over-year increase. A company that specializes in 3D sensor components testing systems, Chroma ATE, reported revenues of roughly $72.7 million for Q2, up more than 60 percent sequentially.

DigiTimes’ sources also confirm previous speculation from the likes of renowned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in attesting that Apple is planning to use Face ID in three new iPhone devices and two iPads slated for release late in the third quarter. 9to5Mac reports that two of the new iPhones will feature OLED displays, while a third LCD option will be positioned as a budget-friendly device at about $700. The new iPads, meanwhile, are expected to come in 11-inch and 12.9-inch models.

Sources: DigiTimes, 9to5Mac, Patently Apple