Apple has apparently placed over $200 million in bookings with supplier Lumentum for the rest of the 2017 calendar year. The components are apparently related to vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) and are believed to be aimed at Apple’s advanced 3D sensing camera on the iPhone 8. The bookings represent a noticeable increase in revenue for the supplier, in comparison to a reported $5 million in 3D sensing revenue during its last fiscal quarter.
As a result, LoupVentures analyst Gene Munster has stated that he believes the September launch of the iPhone 8 will see a notable increase in the number of iPhones equipped with 3D sensors supporting augmented reality features. Lumentum is believed to be one of around three companies supplying Apple with VCSEL components, as well as Finisar.
Munster offered the following comments: