Apple’s next-generation iPhone will boast an upgraded Touch ID sensor, says industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He says the new sensor will improve the Apple Pay experience by resulting in fewer reading errors.
Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities, projects that Touch ID module shipments will grow 12.4 percent this year to 262 million total. His forecast was revealed in a research note to investors, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider on Tuesday.
Kuo says he expects companies in Apple’s supply chain to begin ramping up for the new Touch ID module in the second quarter of calendar 2015.
He also says the Touch ID sensor will remain in the home button, at least for the foreseeable future, so don’t expect it to be integrated into the iPhone’s touchscreen just yet.
“Though Apple has filed patents for the integration of Touch ID and touch panel, this isn’t likely to bear fruit near term as complex algorithms and sapphire cover lens are also required,” Kuo said. “We therefore don’t see any impact on supply chain momentum.”
Apple filed a new patent application last week, showing how an iOS device’s Touch ID sensor could be integrated with the device’s touchscreen.
While this is all just the thoughts of one analyst, and should be treated as so, Kuo does have a decent track record when it comes to predicting details of Apple’s future product plans and supply chain information.
