iPhone 15 Pro/Max to Use Sony VCSEL for Face ID [Report]

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will use a Sony ToF VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) for Face ID that offers improved power consumption or better performance compared to the Lumentum design currently in use, reports TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Sony will replace Lumentum (design) / Win Semi (production) as the exclusive ToF VCSEL supplier for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Lumentum/Win Semi will face long-term structural risks in the VCSEL market.

Kuo says that Sony's ToF VCSEL integrates the VCSEL & driver IC, which can either reduce power consumption (good for battery life) or provide better ToF performance while maintaining the same power consumption (good for camera and AR applications).


It's said that Lumentum/Win Semi's iPhone Face ID VCSEL market share will decrease from 50% in the iPhone 14 series to 30-40% in the iPhone 15 series, due to Sony and II-VI's increased supply ratio. Lumentum/Win Semi may also be at risk of losing business from other customers due to Sony's technological advantages.

Notably, Apple may be replacing the OLED driver chip on the iPhone 15 which would also reduce power consumption and improve battery life. More details on that here:
● iPhone 15 to Use 28nm OLED Driver Chip for Improved Battery Life [Report]

Apple isn't expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series until this fall; however, you can already check out an alleged leaked photo of the iPhone 15 here. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates.