Where is the new round of competition for camera modules

Apple’s share of about 90% of the global mobile phone market’s profits means: “The end of an era and the beginning of a new era.” The era of simply focusing on sales volume has ended, opening a new era dominated by product power. , Mobile phone companies that used to sell at a large scale have begun to struggle. These changes have caused camera module companies to also follow rapid changes, from the original running volume and low-cost model to a market that uses research and development technology, automation equipment, and process capabilities to focus on this increasingly large camera turnover. Camera module companies without high product capabilities and comprehensive system capabilities will find it difficult to survive in this market. Recently, the reporter interviewed the CEOs of many mobile phone camera module manufacturers, and many corporate bosses confided to the first mobile phone industry.

　　How should companies respond in the new era? How to survive? Sijichun chairman Yang Huimin believes that the mobile phone market has been changing. Samsung’s mobile phone profits were crazy. Apple’s profits accounted for about 90% last year. Today, the rise of high-quality domestic mobile phone brands such as Huawei, OPPO, and VIVO will break the original Some patterns. "Mobile terminal manufacturers are also pursuing changes, and the camera market is the same." Yang Huimin said that only by continuously launching new high-value-added camera products and advancing with the times can we cope with the new round of market competition.

　　With the maturity of comprehensive technology, PDAF will become the next-generation mainstream product of camera modules, and high-end back-end EOL automation equipment will become the next round of core competitiveness of enterprises.

　　 PDAF may become mainstream

　　 There were no companies producing PDAF in the market last year, but this year, major camera sensor manufacturers have launched PDAF sensors, such as Samsung, Sony, and OV. A reporter from the first mobile phone industry learned that some domestic module factories such as Sunny, Truly, and Sijichun have also mass-produced PDAF cameras.

　　 PDAF, OIS, dual cameras, 3D, and 20 million and above high pixels have become the main selling points of mobile phones, and PDAF phase focus detection has become the top priority. This phase detection focusing method can make the focusing speed very fast, and you can take stunning pictures in an instant.

　　 However, PDAF cameras still have a lot of difficulties in the manufacturing process. The average module factory will still encounter problems such as large production yield, automated back-end equipment and new process capabilities.

"At present, Sijichun has overcome multiple difficulties and successfully mass-produced and shipped PDAF fast focus cameras, and passed MTK certification." Yang Huimin emphasized that Sijichun is a follower of high-tech products, and some chips, motors and lenses pursue technological innovation The manufacturers maintain the closest cooperation.

In addition, regarding OIS, Cloose-loop, dual cameras, 3D, iris and other products currently on the market, Yang Huimin said frankly that Sijichun already has relevant technical reserves, but these markets have not started so fast, and PDAF will be in the second half of this year. With rapid promotion, Sijichun has prepared a number of cost-effective solutions for customers to choose from.

　　 launched high-end back-end automation equipment

　　 In addition to the competition of new PDAF products, now high-end back-end automation equipment has also become a new competitive point for camera module companies.

The main reason is that mobile phones have higher and higher requirements for image quality and process technology. If the camera module is assembled manually, it is difficult to grasp the overall consistency of focusing, assembly, burning OTP and motor soldering, resulting in poor and good consistency. The rate is not high. He gave an example. Now many manufacturers are not able to do FDAF, and the yield rate is very low. In fact, it is related to the lack of fully automated equipment in the back-end production, which is not the original COB process capability.

　　 In the first half of this year, some camera module companies such as Sunny and Sijichun have launched high-end automation equipment, including automatic focusing and automatic programming of OTP.

The reporter learned that Sijichun pays special attention to the automated production of the back-end. With regard to the investment of the latest AA equipment, Sijichun’s Taiwan R&D engineering team (formerly Flextronics, DOC) is the first team in Taiwan and the mainland to play AA process. We have cooperated with the world's top AA equipment manufacturers, and have developed a six-axis AA full process suitable for Sijichun's own production process capabilities. It is reported that the current five AA production lines in Sijichun have been able to meet the production needs of high-resolution products with more than 16 million pixels or high-precision products such as OIS and dual cameras.

　　 Sun Yanbiao, Dean of the First Mobile Phone Industry Research Institute, said frankly that only by continuously innovating and improving in efficiency and product capabilities can domestic camera module companies keep their distance with international first-line module manufacturers, and even surpass those of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

　　 However, Yang Huimin has a different view on the COB production line that is currently enthusiastic on the market. He believes that too many COB production lines are the cost burden, and many COB production capacity has been idle. For high products, the COB process is just the most basic basic skill, just like the SMT patch. It does not mean high product strength, high product strength. It is important to master its back-end production process and manufacturing process. It is understood that "Sijichun has accumulated enough in the COB production line. The current production through rate of Sijichun 13M can reach 98%, and it is hitting 99%."