Apple to Increase LiDAR Chip Orders Due to Strong Demand Over iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 Pro has only just released this month, yet Apple has seen such strong demand for the new device that it has increased its LiDAR chip orders.

Apple has seen an overwhelming demand for the iPhone 12 Pro. While featuring a 6.1-inch OLED screen and 5G connectivity, the device also has a LiDAR scanner built into its camera array. According to DigiTimes (via MacRumors), Apple has had to increase its orders of the VCSEL chips for the LiDAR scanner.

DigiTimes reports that its sources have said that “Apple is placing more orders for VCSEL chips as delivery lead-time for pre-orders of the ‌iPhone 12 Pro‌ has now extended to 2-3 weeks compared 2-3 days for the iPhone 12”.

The overwhelming demand for the iPhone 12, especially in the US, seems to have been a surprise to Apple. Prior to the release of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, Apple had intended to allocate more units of the base model. Though given preorder demand, analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo published revisions on estimated allocation totals, which saw iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro each have 30-35 percent of total shipments this quarter.

Apple supplier Win Semiconductor has been reported to be producing the iPhone 12 Pro’s VCSEL chips. It has been said that due to the demand and chip orders, its fourth-quarter projections look stronger than that seen during its third quarter.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro became available for preorder on October 16 with a release on October 23rd. The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, the latter of which also features a LiDAR scanner, will be made available for preorder on November 6th with a release on November 13th.