Apple Face ID Ignites 3D Imaging Interest

MacRumors quotes KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying that Apple Face ID has "tilted interest in the mobile industry away from under-display fingerprint recognition, and instead towards camera-based 3D sensing technologies as the ideal user authentication solution.


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."

Currently, the solutions for Android phone makers are said to come from Qualcomm-Himax, Orbbec, and Mantis Vision, with Qualcomm-Himax one attracting the most attention.

Bloomberg reports a drop in sales forecasts for fingerprint device makers. Sweden's Fingerprint Cards AB warned that its Q3 revenue will be much lower than analysts' estimates. Synaptics fingerprint business also showed "softness," executives said during the company's earnings call.