Korean media The Elec recently reported that Sunny Optical, the leading optical product manufacturer in China, will provide time-of-flight (ToF) modules for Samsung's next-generation flagship smartphone (Galaxy S11 series). According to an industry explosion on October 21, this is the second time that Sunny Optical has supplied Samsung Electronics since the Galaxy S10 5G version this year.

Market experts expect that competition with Korean camera module manufacturers will further intensify. As for ToF, it is a 3D sensing technology. With the growth of enhanced (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content, it is expected to break out in the 5G era.

In South Korea, Namuga and Partron will be the two major suppliers of the Galaxy S11 ToF module. At the same time, the two companies also supplied ToF modules to the Galaxy Note 10+ models.

But this year, Sunny Optical's weights have grown exponentially, along with Partron, supplying ToF modules to Samsung's Galaxy S10 5G flagship smartphone.

As of now, Sunny Optical only accounts for a small portion of the Samsung electronic camera module supply chain. But looking to the next generation, the Galaxy S11 is expected to further increase the weight of the ToF module, meaning that the Chinese supplier can get more business.

Last year, it marks the first time that Sunny Optical has supplied camera modules to Samsung's low-end products. An industry representative said: "The rise of Sunny Optical has made Korean suppliers feel nervous."

It is expected that Sunny Optical will account for about 20% of Samsung's camera module supply this year. Largan Precision in Taiwan fills another 10%, while Korean companies such as SEKONIX still dominate 70%.

In the first half of the year, Sunny Optical's sales in the Asian overseas market increased by 140% year-on-year to approximately 400 billion won (2.3 billion yuan). Driven by Samsung, its performance in the Korean market is expected to account for a larger proportion than the same period last year.