Apple's iPhone X suppliers 'still struggling' with dot projectors for TrueDepth camera
Apple suppliers are continuing to have trouble making the 3D sensors for the TrueDepth camera in the iPhone X, and in particular the dot projector belonging to the "Romeo" transmission module, according to a Thursday report.
The problem's persistence is backed by an anonymous tech industry executive, as well as Yuanti Investment Consulting analyst Jeff Pu, said Nikkei Asian Review. Pu predicts that the iPhone X is about to enter mass production, and will start shipping out of China in the third week of October. His personal forecast for 2017 iPhone X shipments has been reduced from 40 million to 36 million.
Multiple reports have pointed to the TrueDepth camera as the main bottleneck for iPhone X production. A late September story was the first to identify the camera as split into "Romeo" and "Juliet" components, with the former being harder to make. Nikkei's sources described "Juliet" as the camera's receiving module.
The dot projector casts over 30,000 dots on a person's face, using it to create a depth map for the Face ID authentication system, as well as animoji in Messages.
Preorders for the iPhone X begin on Oct. 27 ahead of a Nov. 3 launch. The product could be a critical test of Apple's fanbase, as the first iPhone with a $999 entry price -- the top-end version will cost $1,149, more than some modern Macs.
The phone has already been spotted in public in places like San Francisco, carried by the likes of Apple workers.
The problem's persistence is backed by an anonymous tech industry executive, as well as Yuanti Investment Consulting analyst Jeff Pu, said Nikkei Asian Review. Pu predicts that the iPhone X is about to enter mass production, and will start shipping out of China in the third week of October. His personal forecast for 2017 iPhone X shipments has been reduced from 40 million to 36 million.
Multiple reports have pointed to the TrueDepth camera as the main bottleneck for iPhone X production. A late September story was the first to identify the camera as split into "Romeo" and "Juliet" components, with the former being harder to make. Nikkei's sources described "Juliet" as the camera's receiving module.
The dot projector casts over 30,000 dots on a person's face, using it to create a depth map for the Face ID authentication system, as well as animoji in Messages.
Preorders for the iPhone X begin on Oct. 27 ahead of a Nov. 3 launch. The product could be a critical test of Apple's fanbase, as the first iPhone with a $999 entry price -- the top-end version will cost $1,149, more than some modern Macs.
The phone has already been spotted in public in places like San Francisco, carried by the likes of Apple workers.
Comments
but it's not a camera. The IR camera is a totally seperate part.
but there was also the 40% reject rate on the OLED panels. Haven't heard anything new about that lately.
apple usually makes a statement if something like this is wrong. They haven't made one so far.
And if this is wrong, and everything is on time, then why the delay? Remember that almost two months ago we were told there would be a delay, and people posting were saying the same thing you're saying now. But there is a delay, and there needs to be a reason. Parts shortages on critical components is a very logical, and believable reason.
Sounds like you don't like Tim Cook. A more objective assessment would be that Apple Inc., for which Tim Cook is the chief executive, is adopting a cutting edge technology that will constrain production yields, at least initially.
apple said that they've been working on this for at least four years, possibly five. Difficulty in manufacturing critical parts doesn't mean that the technology is immature. Every chip that's made needs to be taped out. Sometimes two or even three times. That doesn't mean that intel is using an immature technology. The same thing is true here. These blasters need to be made with very high precision. Apparently, that's hard to do.
the 40% number on the screens was given by a high level official with Foxconn, Apple's main phone assemblier. There has been no denial of that number anywhere. Very likely, just as with these blasters, experience in working with it is increasing the yield, and that's normal too. There's no doubt that over the nest few months, yields on these parts will rise to expected levels.
that doesn't mean that there's any reason to doubt what we,re reading now. The X has been expected to be delayed by the people for at least two months, and while some people have poo pooed that too, it's proven to be correct.
the iPhone 8 and 8+ have nothing to do with any of this, so don't use them as examples. This is solely a X issue.