Apple holds commanding lead over Qualcomm in 3D sensing tech development by nearly two years

A new analyst report claims that Apple holds up to a two year lead on rival Qualcomm, when it comes to software and hardware development of accurate 3D sensing systems — and no Android product developer seems that willing to host the technology in the foreseeable future.

According to a research note by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, seen by AppleInsider, Qualcomm is the "most engaged" in developing 3D sensing systems for Android. However, Kuo doesn't see integrated systems shipping until 2019 because of immature algorithms, and "design and thermal issues" associated with a variety of hardware reference designs.

Further, Android device makers are taking a "wait and see" approach to 3D sensing, Kuo says. In particular, manufacturers are uncertain that Apple's upcoming "iPhone 8," which is expected to deliver a facial recognition system, can deliver an innovative user experience. Vendors are concerned that 3D sensing could be a nonstarter like Apple's 3D Touch, pressure sensitive input technology first deployed in the iPhone 6s.

At present, Kuo believes that reticence to adopt the technology from Qualcomm will limit the technology to Xiaomi's 2018 flagship, which will result in no more than 10 million shipments, if it ships before 2019 at all.

Where TSMC, Xintec, VisEra, and Heptagon are slated as individual components suppliers of the technology to Apple, the report sources from the supply chain claims that Qualcomm is working on software by itself, with Himax trying to single-handedly develop the hardware. As a result of differences in hardware design, and in a bid to secure adequate resources, Qualcomm appears to be actively avoiding Apple suppliers.

Most reports have indicated that Apple is planning to launch three new iPhones this year. Though two of them are thought to be LCD-based "iPhone 7s" models, sized at 4.7- and 5.5-inches, the "iPhone 8" has been rumored as having an edge-to-edge, 5.8-inch OLED screen, with sensors for 3D facial recognition and possibly iris scanning in a "notch" on the front of the display. Part of the display is likely reserved for virtual buttons, replacing a physical home button — but Touch ID may be not present in the device.

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44 Comments

coolfactor 2333 comments · 20 Years

About 7 years ago

Looking forward to September. :) Going to be exciting to see what Apple has developed.

SpamSandwich 32917 comments · 19 Years

LOL... Ming-Chi Kuo. Whatever! ;) Analysts spinning events in their favor ever since AAPL stock started trading.

EngDev 76 comments · 7 Years

Definitely looking forward to see what Apple can do with the new iPhone in the Fall.

ManyMacsAgo 34 comments · 9 Years

sog35 said:

This makes me laugh.

I remember last year when Google/Facebook all were spewing that phone hardware isn't that important. Its the software. LOL. Duh, a software company would say its software is most important. WRONG BITCH.

Hardware is equally as important as software. They both need to work together.

There is so many years left for hardware innovation. It will never end.

Apple will keep shriking the bezel for the rest of the decade. AR will be huge and will require more and more horsepower from the CPU. In the next decade we will be seeing foldable screens on iPhones.

Don't believe the lies of Google and FAcebook that say hardware don't matter.

What's funny, is that diehard Android fans seem to think that software isn't important either! One notorious, anti-apple poster on several tech forums I frequent insists that fragmentation of Android is a myth, that there are no consequences whatsoever to most of the Android install base NOT being on the latest version of Android.
He says it's not an issue, just something made up by Apple fans, because Google has worked it, "by design", so that api's and innovations can all somehow be addressed through the store and Google Play services. He insists that an Android app on any Android phone running ___ version, four versions back, is just the same as running the app on a newer, better phone running latest Android version.
Sounds to me like a recipe for Lowest Common Denominator. Sounds like something Google HAD to deal with because OEMs and Carriers weren't helping the OS update situation. Sounds like Android users aren't expecting Google to come out with ANY significant updates to APIs or new APIs (like AR, for example).
So, if neither hardware nor software are important to Android users, I wonder what is important? Oh yeah, replacing the battery and SD cards, and "choice" (until that moment they make a choice for the one Android phone they end up with, that doesn't come with the latest version of Android and will never get an update ...but, apparently Apple "plans obsolescence", go figure!) ;P

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

ManyMacsAgo said:

sog35 said:

This makes me laugh.

I remember last year when Google/Facebook all were spewing that phone hardware isn't that important. Its the software. LOL. Duh, a software company would say its software is most important. WRONG BITCH.

Hardware is equally as important as software. They both need to work together.

There is so many years left for hardware innovation. It will never end.

Apple will keep shriking the bezel for the rest of the decade. AR will be huge and will require more and more horsepower from the CPU. In the next decade we will be seeing foldable screens on iPhones.

Don't believe the lies of Google and FAcebook that say hardware don't matter.

So, if neither hardware nor software are important to Android users, I wonder what is important?

The absence of an Apple logo.

I always wonder how these analysts get their inside information. Who does Kuo hear about immature algorithms and design and thermal issues from? Granted, he isn't right a bunch of the time but sometimes he's fairly accurate. It can't be as simple as just calling up the company one is wondering about and asking a few questions.