Gene Munster: Massive 3D laser order confirms Apple’s big bet on iPhone augmented reality

“Following encouraging comments from Apple’s leading VCESL laser supplier, Lumentum (LITE), on their FQ4 conference call this morning, we have become incrementally more upbeat on Apple’s next iPhone launch, and specifically the number of phones that will have advanced 3D sensing capabilities enabling augmented reality applications,” Gene Munster writes for Loup Ventures.

“We believe Lumentum is one of two to three company’s supplying Apple with VCSEL laser diodes, which is a key technology that adds advanced 3D sensing capabilities,” Munster writes. “Given Lumentum’s comments around $200m in bookings for the rest of CY17 (up from $5m in FQ4), as well as demand trends throughout 2018, we have become incrementally upbeat on the impact Apple’s next iPhone launch will have on the company and on the augmented reality industry.”

“In total, we expect 55m 3D sensing enabled iPhone’s in 2017, going to 160m in 2018,” Munster writes. “We believe Apple’s next iPhone launch remains on track to be released in September. We anticipate the company will ship 133M units in the 2H of CY17.”

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MacDailyNews Take:

9 Comments

      1. You might be on to something. If the U.S. bombs North Korea then China will probably ban many American products, including Apple. But, North Korea will then nuke South Korea, which could destroy Samsung, LG, etc. This means there won’t be any Samsung phones sold worldwide, and Apple could fill some of that void.

        But, then again, Samsung makes some of the iPhone components, and if their factories are destroyed then iPhones can’t be made. And, if the U.S. bombs North Korea then there is a high probability China and possibly Russia will declare war on America and her allies. This would lead to complete nuclear annihilation for most of the world, which means there won’t be many humans left to buy iPhones.

        Maybe Apple should consider making products for roaches.

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