Contracts with Chinese Businesses to Take Place One After the Other

Fabless semiconductor industry is out to go after 3D touch-chip markets. 3D touch technology was first used on Apple’s iPhone 6S series.

According to related industries on the 1st, South Korean fabless semiconductor business called Zinitix had finished developing 3D touch-chip last year and is currently discussing with one of China’s big Smartphone business about supplying its 3D touch-chips. Images also formed 3D touch-chip task force last year and is currently finishing up last stage of development. 3D touch-chip that was developed by HiDeep is used for Huawei’s premium Smartphone called Mate S. South Korea’s fabless industry has first decided to go after Chinese markets and is focusing its business strength.

There is a powerful competitor in premium markets called Synaptics. Synaptics changed ClearForce, which is a 3D touch technology for laptop’s touch-pad, into a touch technology for Smartphones and is currently doing promotions to major Smartphone manufacturers. It is predicted that this technology will be used for a premium Smartphone that will be released during first half of this year.

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<3D touch technology was also used for Huawei’s Mate S. South Korean fabless business called HiDeep had supplied Controller ICs.>

Taiwan’s FocalTech and China’s Goodix are likely suppliers in low and medium-priced markets. FocalTech had announced of its 3D touch-chip in August of last year and also announced that it will be used for a low-priced Smartphone that will be released in early this year. Goodix, which is a fingerprint recognition solution business, is also developing 3D touch solution and received $2 million of investments from Taiwan’s MediaTech. It is expected that it will sell a product that has an application processor, fingerprint recognition, and a touch solution. China’s NDT’s (New Degree Technology) 3D touch solution is already being applied for China’s ZTE’s Axon Mini. NDT is presenting an example of its successful supply to ZTE’s Axon Mini and ix expanding its business strength on Chinese Smartphone businesses.

Market research company called IHS is expecting that one of 4 Smartphones that will be released this year will have 3D touch technology. It is estimating that shipments of force sensing modules including 3D touch-chips this year will be about 461 million, which is 317% more than 2015.

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<Market research company called IHS is expecting that one of 4 Smartphones that will be released this year will have 3D touch technology. It is estimated that this proportion will increase every year.>

3D touch’s basic concept is to recognize horizontal axis (X), vertical axis (Y), and depth (Z). Touch Controller IC recognizes finger’s pressure by changes in resistance value or electrostatic capacity. A pop-up window comes up on iPhone 6S if a person strongly presses a particular icon. Pictures, e-mails, and texts can also be seen very quickly.

“If chip and Smartphone businesses move this year, Google’s Android OS has no choice but to officially support 3D touch.” said a representative for this industry. “There is a high chance that related user interface (UI) will be officially announced at Google I/O Developers Event that will be held in May of this year.”

Staff Reporter Han, Juyeop | powerusr@etnews.com