From Etnews

‘Display fingerprint recognition technology’ that recognizes fingerprint through the top of a screen has emerged as a potential new business for South Korea’s Smartphone parts industry. This is because Samsung Electronics has started to apply this technology to its medium-level Smartphones in addition to luxury models.
According to industries, Samsung Electronics applied display fingerprint recognition technology to Galaxy A80 Smartphones. It installed a fingerprint recognition sensor, which used to be installed on the back or the side of a Smartphone, on the back of a display panel so that Galaxy A80 users can easily verify their identities or log into websites just by placing their fingers on a screen. Samsung Electronics also applied this technology to Galaxy A70 and Galaxy A50 Smartphones as well.
Display fingerprint recognition technology that is applied to Galaxy A series is based on optical method. Optical method measures degree of light reflection corresponding to curvature of the surface of a fingerprint and obtaines an image of a fingerprint. Compared to display fingerprint recognition technology based on ultrasonic method that is applied to Galaxy S10 Smartphones, it has technological difference in how it is operated.
Samsung Electronics gave orders for manufacturing of optical method-based fingerprint recognition modules to South Korean Smartphone parts manufacturers such as Partron, MCNEX, and DREAMTECH. Partron and MCNEX usually manufacturer camera modules that go into Smartphones while DREAMTECH manufactures button-type fingerprint recognition modules that are generally used. All of them are partners of Samsung Electronics.
According to industries, it was confirmed that Partron was the first to mass-produce display fingerprint recognition modules. MCNEX and DREAMTECH are expected to start mass-producing them depending on schedule and amount of supplies.
When Samsung Electronics adopts a new technology, it creates positive effects to Smartphone parts industry. This is because Samsung Electronics purchases large amount of parts as it is the world’s biggest Smartphone manufacturer. Also, Galaxy A series Smartphones are models that are sold the most out of Samsung Electronics’ Smartphones. As a result, Samsung Electronics expanding application of display fingerprint recognition technology to other Smartphones is a new business opportunity for Smartphone parts industry.

<Prediction of display fingerprint recognition market based on technology (Reference: IHS Market)>

Partron is hoping to make $862 million (1 trillion KRW) in sales this year through increase in amount of supplies of multi-cameras and display fingerprint recognition module orders from Samsung Electronics. This is the first time Partron is looking to make $862 million in annual sales since 2013.
MCNEX is also hoping for a growth this year due to a recent trend of multi-cameras and display fingerprint recognition module orders from Samsung Electronics. MCNEX, which made $541 million (627.6 billion KRW) in sales last year, is hoping to make more than $690 million (800 billion KRW) in sales this year.
DREAMTECH is expecting to have better performance this year as well due to new supply of display fingerprint recognition modules in addition to its current supply of button-type fingerprint recognition modules. It is heard that it is going to produce and supply display fingerprint recognition modules starting from May.
Display fingerprint recognition technology made its appearance within Smartphone market last year and it is expected to be generalized starting from this year. According to a market research company called IHS Market, there were 30 million Smartphones that were equipped with display fingerprint recognition modules last year and there are expected to be 180 million Smartphones that are equipped with display fingerprint recognition modules this year. Display fingerprint recognition technology has been receiving spotlight as it goes along with ‘full-screen’ trend. It is predicted that display recognition technology based on optical method rather than ultrasonic method will be the mainstream within Smartphone market.