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There are new rumors that Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be equipped with an improved LiDAR scanner from Sony.
Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O'Malley said in a research note to investors this week that Sony could supply most, if not all, of the LiDAR scanner components for the iPhone 15 Pro models that launch later this year.
Sony could take most, if not all, of the global market share for the sensor in this year's models by supplying a module, VCSEL, receiver and driver. This is a negative headwind for LITE and COHR that we think is likely.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last month that Sony would replace Lumentum and WIN Semiconductors as the exclusive supplier of LiDAR scanner components for the iPhone 15 Pro models.
iPhone 15 Pro: These are the benefits an improved LiDAR scanner would offer
Kuo saidthat Sony's solution is more energy efficient and could enable the LiDAR scanner to offer better performance with the same power consumption as before, or equivalent performance with less impact on battery life. The LiDAR scanner, which will be introduced in the iPhone 12 Pro models in 2020, can measure light distances and capture depth information. The hardware is expected to be available exclusively in the iPhone 15 Pro models. An improved LiDAR scanner could have a positive impact on augmented reality applications, night photography, and the camera's autofocus. Other rumors about the iPhone 15 Pro include an A17 Bionic chip, a USB-C port, a titanium frame with solid-state buttons, thinner bezels around the display, and more. (Photo by Nata Aleks NO WAR / Bigstockphoto)
