iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature Sony-made LiDAR scanners, replacing Lumentum and WIN Semiconductors as the new sole supplier, according to numerous sources.
In a series of tweets, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo explained that Apple uses Lumentum alongside WIN Semi to design and manufacture Time-of-Flight VCSEL for its LiDAR scanner in its current iPhone Pro lineup. That is set to change, however, as Sony is reportedly ready to take over Apple’s ToF VCSEL orders.
Kuo’s prediction was echoed by Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley. In a paywalled report cited by MacRumors, the analysts explained that “Sony could take a majority, if not all, of this year’s models”.
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Sony could take a majority, if not all, of the share on the world facing sensor in this years’ models with the company providing a module, VCSEL, receiver and driver. This is a negative headwind to both LITE and COHR which we view as likely.
Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley via MacRumors
Kuo further explains that Sony’s ToF VCSEL combines multiple components into a single design, resulting in lower power consumption than its Lumentum/WIN Semi counterpart. This would enable power savings at the same performance, or improved ToF performance at the same power consumption as current iPhones. However, it is unclear at this point as to which implementation Apple would take with the iPhone 15 Pro.
