If there’s one thing about the expected 10th anniversary iPhone that bloggers enjoy, it’s that it is generating a lot of good fodder for posts. Today’s rumors are extra-tasty, with a side helping of believability.
The first has to do with the expected processor for the iPhone 8 — the 10nm A11 chips that will be manufactured by TSMC of Taiwan. Allegedly, TSMC has begun production of the new chips after solving issues with “stacking components in the backend integrated fan-out packaging process,” according to DigiTimes.
The next good news has to do with LG Innotek, which is reported to be supplying front-facing 3D facial recognition cameras for the next-generation iPhone (see concept image above by Benjamin Geskin). The devices are being made in a new $239 million South Korean facility that’s dedicated solely to creating components for Apple products. The initial order for the cameras is estimated to be about $177 million.
These cameras could be Apple’s replacement for Touch ID, given that Apple is apparently having issues with merging a Touch ID sensor into the OLED screen expected to be used on the iPhone 8. The 3D facial recognition feature offers a much more accurate method of authentication than the 2D scanners used in Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone.
On top of this news, Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron are apparently hiring like mad to get enough production staff available to meet expected demand for the new phone.
