Component vendor Lite-On Semi was mentioned in a recent Chinese-language Commercial Times report as a possible supplier of wireless charging parts destined for Apple’s 2017 iPhones. According to Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes, the supplier is expecting to see its revenues reach the peak for 2017 in the third quarter (when iPhone 8 is rumored to enter mass-production, mind you) thanks to robust demand for its power management chips used for wireless charging in smartphones and other devices.
Lite-On Semi has reported consolidated revenues of NT$660 million (US$21.3 million) for February 2017, down 12.5% sequentially but up 3.2% on year.
Lite-On Semi disclosed that sales of its discrete ICs fell 10% on month in February 2017 as a result of fewer working days during the Lunar New Year period, but were still 7% higher than year-ago levels. The product segment accounted for 53% of company revenues during the month.
Commercial Times recently claimed that Lite-On Semi obtained “half of the orders for GPP bridge rectifiers that will be used in the wireless charger for the upcoming iPhones.†Apple, which recently joined the Wireless Power Consortium, is reportedly still evaluating various wireless charging technologies.
According to KGI Securities analysts Ming-Chi Kuo, all 2017 iPhones will feature wireless charging but users may be required to purchase a dedicated accessory.
