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Apple's Face ID causes interest spike in 3D-sensing tech from Android rivals

By Cookie Monster - on 9 Oct 2017, 12:00am

Apple's Face ID causes interest spike in 3D-sensing tech from Android rivals

For the first 8 months of the year, there was a lot of speculation on under-screen fingerprint recognition technology appearing in some flagship smartphones. As we know by now, the technology is just not ready. The debut of Face ID on the Apple iPhone X has since shifted the attention to 3D-sensing technologies according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest investor note, Kuo claims that interest in 3D-sensing technologies by Android smartphone makers has "at least tripled" after Apple introduced Face ID on the iPhone X. There are currently three solutions in the market that Android smartphone makers are looking at, which are Qualcomm and Himax, Orbbec, and Mantis Vision.

Kuo - "While under-display optical fingerprint recognition is only a spec upgrade from capacitive solutions, 3D sensing embodies a revolutionary user experience and warrants a premium on gross margin. 3D sensing not only enables facial recognition in security applications and allows users to create fun expressions like Apple's Animoji, on a more important level, it is a key factor in the development of AR. We therefore believe brand vendors are willing to spend more for related components."

Kuo estimates that shipments of 3D-sensing equipped Android devices will exceed those with under-display fingerprint recognition in the next two to three years. In addition, 3D-sensing technology is said to have wider compatibility with LCD panels than under-display fingerprint recognition which is exclusive to OLED panels.

Even if Android smartphone makers rush to implement 3D-sensing technology on their devices next year, it will take them up to two and a half years before they can catch up with Apple's TrueDepth camera system. 

Source: MacRumors 

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