04-18: Tencent is reportedly getting ready to launch its own proprietary gaming phone; Xiaomi is officially investing and controlling stake of TCL; etc.
Chipsets
The settlement between Apple and Qualcomm to end lawsuits over patent licensing and infringement is costing Apple nearly USD9 per iPhone on top of a single USD6B payment, according to UBS. (Apple Insider, My Drivers)
MediaTek has announced AIoT platforms, which includes i300 and i500 series processor with high integration and high-end APU performance, providing solutions for smart home, smart city and smart factory. The MediaTek AIoT platform includes two series of highly integrated i300 and high AI performance i500. (CN Beta, TechNews, EE World)
Even though Apple and Qualcomm are working together again, iPhones won’t immediately roll out with 5G. At the earliest, Apple may be able to introduce a 5G device in 2020. (My Drivers, CN Beta, China Times, UDN, CNET)
Camera
According to TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the camera upgrade will be one of the new 2H19 Apple iPhone’s major selling points—(1) Rear cameras of 6.5” OLED, 5.8” OLED, and 6.1-” LCD will likely upgrade to tri-cam and dual-camera, respectively. A super-wide camera will be newly adopted by the tri-cam, which is equipped with the 12MP (1µm) CIS provided exclusively by Sony. (2) The front camera of all 3 new iPhone models will likely upgrade to 12MP CIS+5P lens (vs. current 7MP CIS+4P lens). (Mac Rumors, TF Securities, press, Phone Arena)
Sensory
Apple has allegedly held talks with at least 4 companies as possible suppliers for next-generation LIDAR sensors in self-driving cars, evaluating the companies’ technology while also still working on its own LIDAR unit. (VentureBeat, CN Beta, Reuters, 9to5Mac)
Phone
Tencent is reportedly getting ready to launch its own proprietary gaming phone. Tencent is allegedly speaking to the manufacturers behind ASUS, Razer, and Xiaomi-backed Blackshark gaming phones, and will be powered by Qualcomm processors. (Android Authority, 36Kr, Pocket Gamer Biz)
According to Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments will reach a modest 5M units in 2019. Early 5G smartphone models will be expensive and available in limited volumes. Samsung, LG and Huawei will be the early 5G smartphone leaders in 2019, followed by Apple in 2020. (CN Beta, Strategy Analytics, press)
Samsung Galaxy A40s (M30) and A60 are announced in China: A40s (M30) – 6.4” 2340×1080 FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-U, Samsung Exynos 7904, rear tri 13MP-5MP-5MP + front 16MP, 4+64GB / 6+128GB, Android 8.1, rear fingerprint scanner, 5000mAh 15W fast charging, CNY2,499 / CNY2,799. A60 – 6.3” FHD+ IPS Infinity-O, Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, rear tri 32MP-8MP-5MP + front 32MP, 6+128GB, Android 9.0, 4500mAh 25W fast charging, CNY1,999. (Phone Arena, GizChina, GizChina, MySmartPrice, Phone Radar, Sam Mobile, GSM Arena)
Home
Xiaomi CFO Shouzi Zhou has announced that the company is officially investing and controlling stake of TCL, reaching an important strategic cooperation in joint R&D, supply chain, etc. This will greatly help Xiaomi continue to grow a strong home appliance business. (My Drivers, Qianjia, Sina)
Automotive
Volkswagen plans to build a fully electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) for China from 2021, taking on the Chinese market leader Tesla’s Model X as the German carmaker ramps up production of zero emissions vehicles. The concept car is capable of a “level 4 autonomous driving”, VW said. (CN Beta, CNBC, Electrek)
Artificial Intelligence
Facebook is reportedly working on a voice assistant to rival the likes of Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and the Google Assistant. The tech company has been working on this new initiative since early 2018. The effort is coming out of the company’s augmented reality and virtual reality group. (Apple Insider, CNBC, CN Beta)