Global shipments of 3D sensing-enabled smartphones to top 100 million units in 2018, says firm
Rebecca Kuo, Tainan; Steve Shen, DIGITIMES
Global shipments of smartphones featuring 3D sensing technology are expected to top over 100 million units in 2018, with Apple serving as the primary vendor and following by Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, according to an estimate of China-based Sigmaintell.
Apple, which pioneered the use of structured-light 3D scanning technology for its iPhone X in 2017, is expected to apply the same technology on to the three next-generation iPhone devices expected to come this fall for facial recognition and unlocking, while supporting mobile payment, according to industry sources.
Following the steps of Apple, China-based Xiaomi and Oppo have unveiled, respectively, their new models also featuring structured-light sensing technology.
Xiaomi has aspired to lead its local peers in terms of innovation by releasing its Mi 8 Explorer Edition in May, with features including a 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 CPU, 8GB of RAM, dual-lens main camera and, as expected, a 3D face ID as well as an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Oppo followed to make fanfare announcements of its 3D sensing-enabled flagship model, the Find X, in Paris and Beijing in June. Taking directly on Xiaomi’s Mi 8 Explorer, the Find X also features a 6.42-inch AMOLED display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 CPU paired with 8GB of RAM plus a pop-up dual camera.
Meanwhile, Vivo also showcased its prowess for innovation, as it introduced its new Time of Flight (TOF) 3D sensing technology at MWC Shanghai 2018 in June. The company touted that its ID sensor is able to capture 300,000 sensor points, which is about 10 times the number of structured-light technology.
Vivo’s new flagship model with its TOF 3D technology is expected to be available in the second half of 2018, the sources indicated.
However, combined shipments of Android-based smartphones with 3D sensing technology are likely to reach only 12 million units in 2018, according to Sigmaintell, which added that the TOF technology may start getting momentum in 2019.
Smartphones with 3D sensing function to top 100 million units in 2018
Photo: Digitimes file photo
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