KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been one of the most vocal sources claiming that Apple will be including a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 5S, indicating that Apple's 2012 acquisition of AuthenTec is ready to bear fruit for the company as a differentiating feature for the next iPhone.

authentec_cross_section
In a new research report, Kuo outlines his belief that in order to limit rival Samsung's involvement in the iOS device supply chain, Apple will turn to a series of Taiwanese companies to support its fingerprint sensor implementation.

Assuming this is the case, we predict a production flow of the fingerprint sensor as follows: Apple (design) –> TSMC (foundry) –> Xintec (wafer-level packaging) –> ASE and Sharp (module).

While there’s no question that Apple possesses key fingerprint sensor technology, we also think TSMC is a reasonable foundry choice for Apple as it used to serve AuthenTec. We expect Xintec to make the supply chain on its expertise in wafer-level packaging and TSMC is its largest share holder. However, as it was loss-making in 2012, it’s possible Xintec will get capex support from TSMC for the new business.

Kuo is upbeat on the futures of TSMC and ASE, arguing that Apple will continue to forge closer ties with the Taiwanese semiconductor industry. The biggest win for Taiwanese industry would be a shift to TSMC for the A-series chips used in Apple's iOS devices. Apple has long been rumored to be working to shift production of the A-series chips from Samsung to TSMC, with the latest rumors suggesting that move may finally take place with new 20-nanometer A7 chips in early 2014.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

komodrone Avatar
156 months ago
"Apple predicted to Tap Taiwanese..."

PUNS ARE FUN!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tylerjamison Avatar
156 months ago
Does anyone actually care about the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor?

Personally I don't want to encourage phone thieves to also cut off my fingers.

I reckon all these finger print related rumours are barking up the wrong tree.


I can't wait for the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor. While it could potentially be a little finicky, hopefully Apple has learned their lesson with releasing products and software without fully vetting it first (the big one being Maps) and they really knock it out of the park.

I think it would be extremely useful to scan your fingerprint instead of entering in a passcode to unlock you phone or make a transaction. I'm all for it!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
156 months ago
Personally I don't want to encourage phone thieves to also cut off my fingers.

The technology also looks for a pulse, which your severed finger wouldn't have. Having the print match isn't good enough alone. Assuming the thief is smart enough to know its useless without your prints (which they probably aren't,) - they're smart enough to know they need it to have a pulse. And if they're willing (and smart enough to know how) to replicate a pulse, they're probably also willing and smart enough to just get your prints from other things you've touched.

+ I imagine police would take stolen fingers a bit more seriously than stolen phones and that a jury of citizen peers would find anyone cutting off fingers to be deserving of much more severe punishments.

There's a lot of reasons it's not a real concern.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Drunken Master Avatar
156 months ago
"Apple predicted to Tap Taiwanese..."

PUNS ARE FUN!

As someone who lives in Taiwan and is currently tapping it, I approve of this post.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jacquesvw Avatar
156 months ago
.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locoboi187 Avatar
156 months ago
If you're asleep, I'm going to take your phone and gently press your finger on the home button. I will then walk away :rolleyes:
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...