According to Jones Chen, Chairman of GSEO (Genius Electronic Optical), the supply for mid range and high end smartphone’s camera lens module falls short of its increasing demand. The optical lens maker pointed towards increased complexity and variety in lenses and their trends as a factor in the shortcoming.
Smartphones and their components have become increasingly more complex and difficult to manufacture. Each individual component, especially the lens, requires advanced hardware with precise software to manufacture. Furthermore, it is estimated that the demands from smartphone OEMs for camera lenses will increase even further by 2020. This is due to various companies adopting the new triple or quad camera modules on their smartphones, Chen explained.
Chen further stated that smartphone makers are expected to consistently upgrade lens module specifications; and GSEO hopes this can lead to a hike of its overall gross profit margin. Currently, GSEO specializes in mid range and high end smartphone’s camera lens modules and declines orders with low gross margins. Kuo Ying-Li, President of GSEO, also added that the company has been developing lens modules like waterdrop notch, black-coated, under-screen, OIS (optical image stabilization), periscope and ToF models that offer high gross margins.
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Notably, the company also reported on developing automotive cameras, but certification for such products is time-consuming and shipments might not begin until the second half of 2021 or 2022. In other words, we might also be seeing a new breed of smartphone cameras in the near future.
Kuo also stated that the popularity of camera modules with 10MP or higher sensors have been increasing and now account for almost 47 percent of its entire business operations comprising of NT $8.265 billion for the first three quarters of 2019 (or roughly 271 million USD).
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(Via)
