A new report has revealed that upcoming flagship smartphones from China based vendors will re-adopt ToF camera sensors (Time of Flight). The news arrives as even Apple gears up to include new ToF based LiDAR sensors on its 2021 iPhone Pro lineup.

According to a DigiTimes report, industry sources close to the matter have revealed that Chinese brands are raising orders for components and lenses related to the ToF cameras. An example being Honor, which recently adopted ToF sensors on its flagship Honor 50 Pro series through Taiwan based supply chain. The suppliers include GaAs foundries Win Semiconductors, Advanced Wireless Semiconductor (AWSC), and others that will also supply Apple with 3D face ID sensors and ToF LiDAR scanners for iPhones.

Furthermore, the source added that certain Huawei P50 series smartphone models will also adopt ToF cameras as well. On the other hand, major smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics, might not be bringing back ToF cameras in its new premium grade flagship handsets and is unlikely to release a smartphone that features this camera this year.

Although, the source believes that the Taiwanese suppliers are expected to see robust orders in the second half of this year, partly due to strong sales of 5G PA devices and VSCEL chips for new iPhones and flagship smartphones from China based vendors.

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Major smartphone brands in China are expected to adopt the ToF 3D sensing camera technology for rear imaging modules of new and upcoming smartphone models. These new devices with the ToF sensors are projected to ship in the second half of this year.

According to a DigiTimes report, these popular Chinese vendors are expected to finalize their plans in the early second quarter of this year. As per a source close to the matter, Meizu has already launched 5G enabled smartphones with the Time of Flight 3D sensors that were supplied by Shenzen based firm, Orbbec Technology. Similarly, China based Wuhan Sillicon Integrated and Ningbo RaySea Technology are also preparing to supply entry level 3D ToF 3D sensing modules for other Chinese smartphone manufacturers.

Furthermore, Taiwan based fingerprint recognition IC design firms are also planning to partner with other Taiwanese LED chip makers, along with other optical device or III-V compound semiconductor makers, which are essential for making ToF 3D sensing modules. This move arrives as competition intensifies for business opportunities for these firms, as per the sources.

Unfortunately, the report does not specifically mention the names of any leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Although, if one is offering the ToF sensor on their smartphones, others are likely to follow to not fall behind on the competition. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available.

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Apple is expected to launch its next-generation iPhone models — the iPhone 12 series in the coming weeks. While the company is yet to officially reveal the launch date, it has confirmed that the launch will be delayed by a few weeks.

With the official launch just around the corner, more and more information about the devices keeps surfacing online. In the latest development, Win Semiconductor has now started mass-production and shipment of ToF sensors and LiDAR scanners to Apple.

EDITOR’S PICK: OPPO Reno4 SE 5G with 6.43-inch display, 32MP selfie camera, 48MP triple cameras, and 65W Charging unveiled

For those who are unaware, Apple iPhone 12 models are reportedly coming with LiDAR scanner, which stands for “light detection and ranging” and measures distances by illuminating the target with laser light and by measuring the reflection with a sensor.

This won’t be the first time Apple opts for the LiDAR sensor on its devices. The company has already started using the LiDAR technology on this year’s iPad Pro with the ToF sensor. As per the reports, not all models will come with this tech but the Pro model will have it.

If the iPhone sales are better than expected, then the company could get more orders from Apple for the fourth quarter of the year. It currently has a monthly production capacity of 41,000 pieces. The company is expected to invest and accelerate production in Nanke Park, which is estimated to create approximately 4,000 job opportunities.

UP NEXT: Apple iPhone 12 pricing could be higher than expected because of increased Bill Of Material cost

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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.

Editor’s Pick: ASUS ROG Phone II Ultimate Edition now on sale in Europe for €1000

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).

UP NEXT: Oppo may open another R&D Center in India, this time in Bengaluru

(Via)

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Huawei just released the P30 duo and as expected, they are one of the best flagship smartphone series that you can buy today. The company continued the tradition of releasing a slightly smaller P30 model alongside a larger and more powerful P30 Pro. They are similar in a lot of aspects but there are a few differences as well. The big difference is in the pricing, with P30 starting at just €799, a healthy €200 cheaper than the base 8GB + 128GB Huawei P30 Pro model. But at this price, what are you losing out? Do you sacrifice too much on features to save a couple of hundred Euros? That’s what we try to find in this article.

I’ll keep this article short since the Huawei P30 vs P30 Pro specs table tells you the whole story. So, let’s check that out first.

Huawei P30 vs P30 Pro: Specs

Huawei P30 vs P30 Pro: Design and Durability

In all essence, the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro share the exact same design. So you have a fancy AMOLED display up front with teardrop notches and a glass back.

So how do you differentiate between the two models?

Since the P30 has a triple camera setup, the flash and other sensors lie right below the camera housing. On the other hand, the larger P30 Pro comes with a quad camera setup. This includes a unique looking periscope camera in place of the third sensor in the camera housing. Then there’s an additional ToF camera alongside flash and other sensors on the right.

Of course, there’s a big difference in the form factor too. The Huawei P30 is not only smaller, all thanks to its 6.1-inch display (vs ~6.5-inch on the P30 Pro), it is also significantly lightweight. There’s nearly a difference of 30 grams between the two models, and that’s quite a lot in everyday usage.

Further, the Huawei P30 comes with a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack, which its powerful sibling lacks.

As for durability, Huawei P30 is just IP53 certified as opposed to P30 Pro’s IP68 rating.

Huawei P30 vs P30 Pro: Cameras

There’s no doubt that the P30 Pro has a better camera setup than the P30. While the P30 model is no slouch with a powerful triple camera setup, the Pro version takes things up a notch with better features and quad cameras. Here’s a quick look at the differences in their cameras.

P30 vs P30 Pro

• Triple Cameras vs Quad Cameras
• Primary Lens Aperture: f/1.8 vs f/1.6 (lower is better)
• No ToF vs dedicated ToF sensor (fourth sensor)
• ISO: 204800 vs 409600
• 3X Optical Zoom vs 5X Optical Zoom
• 5X Hybrid Zoom vs 10X Hybrid Zoom
• 30X Digital Zoom vs 50X Digital Zoom

Huawei P30 vs P30 Pro: Battery

The thing that makes P30 Pro heavier gives it an edge here. The larger model has a larger battery too: 4200mAh vs 3650mAh on the P30. Both feature 40W Huawei Super Charge fast charging. However, P30 doesn’t have Wireless Charging, which is really a shame. So, naturally, it doesn’t have reverse Wireless Charging either, which the larger model brags about. Huawei has ensured wireless charging on the Pro model isn’t painfully slow, as it goes up to 15W.

Huawei P30 vs P30 Pro: Pricing

The P30 starts at €799, while the P30 Pro starts at €999.

For me, that’s a very solid price difference. While the P30 Pro really shines in the camera department, the P30 shouldn’t be a slouch. It should still be one of the better cameras in the market. So, if you can forgive the lack of Wireless Charging support, the smaller model makes a really strong case with its specs. Not to mention that it’s pretty compact and light, making it a more comfortable option for everyday use.

But if you don’t mind the larger sibling’s beefy form factor and can shell out nearly a thousand Euros, look no further than the P30 Pro.

Read more about the P30 duo from our launch coverage here!

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