IF / News

Chipsets

According to Digitimes, TSMC has already received orders for 5G-related applications such as Internet of Things devices. Apple has previously been rumored to produce 5G iPhones in 2020 and the Digitimes report says it will take until then for TSMC to produce its 5nm processors in sufficient quantities. (My Drivers, Digitimes, press, Apple Insider)

Intel networking chip chief Sandra Riviera has advised sample 5G modem chips will ship to vendors in 2019. Non-consumer 5G products, including networking equipment, will ship in 2019. Consumer-oriented devices using Intel’s modem are not expected by Riviera to launch in 2019 at all. Thus, devices using its 5G modems will not go on sale until 2020. This indicates that Apple’s 5G phone will not happen until 2020. (Engadget, Engadget CN, Reuters, Apple Insider, Sina)

Touch Display

OPPO’s new patent of foldable phone includes a streamlined design and appears to be bezel-less; and a pop-up camera. The device includes two camera and a flash that can be used both when the phone is folded and unfolded.  (CN Beta, Hot Hardware, Tech Gen XY, LetsGoDigital)

According to Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall, Samsung Galaxy Fold includes “a compelling form factor that only Samsung’s foldable OLED technology can deliver”.  He indicates that should that form factor spark consumer interest they would expect Samsung to delay access to the technology for Apple. (Seeking Alpha, Business Insider, CNBC, Wallstreet CN, Sohu)

Aggregate production capacity for small- to medium-size AMOLED panels at China makers is expected to expand at a CAGR of 59.4% from 2018-2022, according to Digitimes Research. In its 13th 5-Year Plan, China has highlighted the self-sufficiency in the supply of AMOLED panels, especially flexible ones, prompting existing panel makers and newcomers to jump on the bandwagon. (Digitimes, press)

Camera

[MWC2019] OPPO will launch a phone with its new 10× zoom camera in 2Q19. The camera assembly has 3 camera modules: (1) a 16mm ultra-wide camera (120°); (2) second camera module has a 48MP sensor (around 28mm), and (3) telephoto lens has 160mm focal length (in 35mm). (GSM Arena, Android Authority, CN Beta, Engadget CN, IT Home, CNET)

Biometrics

According to IHS Markit, the total shipment volume of the fingerprint on display (FoD) module in 2018 reached 30M units. The shipment of FoD module will show significant growth thanks to the development of full display. The FoD module shipment is expected to grow 6-fold to nearly 180M units. Yet, as Samsung entry models do not adopt FoD, market expects in 2019 FoD solution would reach 40M units, and General Interface Solution (GIS) is the major supplier. On other hand, compared to optical FoD, which owns 90% of the FoD share, with Samsung introducing ultrasonic FoD,  its market size is believed to increase to 22%~25% by 2019. (Digitimes, press)

Connectivity

[MWC2019] OPPO has unveiled its first 5G phone, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 with Snapdragon X50 5G modem. OPPO has partnered with four carriers – Swisscom, Telstra, Optus and Singtel for 5G commercialization. OPPO has also initiated ‘OPPO 5G Landing Project’. OPPO has also partnered with software developers to explore 5G cloud gaming. (CNET, My Drivers, Fonearena)

[MWC2019] OPPO VP Brian Shen reveals that the company will first launch commercial 5G phone in Europe and within 2019 will launch 5G phone in China. However, he believes 2 years are required to reach mass proliferation of 5G phone. As for foldable phone, he still does not think it does not have real commercialization value yet. (CN Beta, CE.cn, IT Home)

Phone

OPPO VP Brian Shen confirms that “there is no Z product”. Brian also reveals that in 2019 the company will launch a phone powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, which is believed to be the next generation Find X product. (My Drivers, Gizmo China)

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun indicates that after Redmi is spun out, Xiaomi will focus on innovation and unique experience. In regards if Xiaomi is going to abandon “value for money” for Xiaomi brand, Lei Jun responds that never. Currently Xiaomi has 5 sub-brands—Mi, Redmi, BlackShark, Meitu and Poco. (CN Beta, iResearch, ZOL)

Huawei is to open a smartphone flagship store in Vienna, its first such outlet outside China, as part of a charm offensive in Europe where its future hangs in the balance. Huawei has deals with all 3 major Austrian telecoms groups: A1 Telekom Austria, controlled by Mexico’s America Movil, Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile Austria and Hutchison Whampoa’s Drei Austria. (Gizmo China, Phone Arena, Reuters, Sina)

Brand smartphone vendors may see their profits fall significantly in 2019 as they are investing heavily in upgrading their models despite sluggish terminal market demand, according to Digitimes. Defying increasing sales downturn pressure, both first- and second-tier brand handset vendors have been keen to upgrade functions, applications and user experiences of smartphones ranging from high-tier foldable screen models to budget AI-based ones to simulate replacement demand from consumers. (Digitimes, press)