Sensor suppliers for Apple and Samsung could provide in-display biometric tech for iPads
Prominent Samsung and Apple devices could soon have the same fingerprint sensor manufacturers, as details have emerged about the relationship between Samsung and the companies supplying ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensors for the hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S10, Patently Apple reports. The report confirms the sensors will be provided by General Interface Solution (GIS) of Taiwan and O-film Tech of China.
The flagship smartphone, which is expected to launch in early 2019, will reportedly come in 6.1- and 6.4-inch models with two kinds of OLED displays. The two manufacturers will work with Qualcomm, as previously reported.
Patently Apple refers to a supply chain report, and says according to sources, GIS has the advantage of a high production yield rate, while O-film provides high production capacity at lower cost. The sensor makers will also compete to supply the Galaxy Note lineup, if Samsung keeps the in-display fingerprint feature. Further, the two firms are competing with each other and TPK Holding to supply touch modules for iPads.
O-film began supplying fingerprint sensors for the iPad mini in 2017, and has already begun shipping touch modules for 9.7-inch iPads, while GIS and TPK are primary suppliers for the larger tablets. GIS is expected to make up 50 percent of touch module orders across the iPad lineup in 2018.
The new iPad Pro uses Face ID, rather than an integrated fingerprint sensor, and Patently Apple speculates that Apple could do away with the home button and adopt in-display fingerprint scanners on new devices to make the lower-end iPads look more like the iPad Pro.
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