Lite-On Semiconductor to Provide Wireless Charging Components for iPhone 8

Thursday January 19, 2017 2:00 AM PST by Tim Hardwick
Lite-On Semiconductor is to provide integrated chip components for the next-generation "iPhone 8" that will support fast wireless charging, according to a new report out today.

According to Chinese-language paper Commercial Times, the Taiwan-based maker of discrete and analog IC components will supply the bridge rectifiers necessary to maintain efficiency in wireless power transmission and reduce thermal issues.

iphone-8
iPhone 8 concept by Handy Abovergleich.
Lite-On Semi has reportedly obtained half of the orders for GPP bridge rectifiers that will be used in the wireless charger for the upcoming iPhones, the report cited industry sources as saying.
The semiconductor company's share price on the Taiwan Stock Exchange rallied to its daily 10 percent limit on the news. Lite-On Semi responded to the report by saying it does not comment on customers or orders.

Apple is said to be working on long-range wireless charging technology, which is superior to many existing wireless charging methods since it doesn't require devices to be as close to a charging source or mat.

Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn is reportedly testing wireless charging modules intended for use in this year's "10th anniversary iPhone", while recent comments by possible partner Energous suggest Apple could use the company's over-the-air charging technology in a forthcoming smartphone.

The iPhone 8 is expected to introduce a radical redesign of Apple's iconic handset, with a glass body and edge-to-edge OLED display that includes an integrated Touch ID fingerprint sensor and front-facing camera. Three models – one OLED, two standard – have also been rumored to feature in Apple's next-gen flagship range.

(Via DigiTimes.)

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
Tag: wireless charging
38 comments


Top Rated Comments

(View all)
Avatar
Mac Fly (film)
30 months ago

So much hype for the iP8.
Will it disappoint?


The pertinent question is will is disappoint MR forum members? And the answer is yes. No matter what it does or how much it costs it'll disappoint the Samsung employees who've long since taken over this forum.
Rating: 20 Votes
Avatar
redbeard331
30 months ago

The pertinent question is will is disappoint MR forum members? And the answer is yes. No matter what it does or how much it costs it'll disappoint the Samsung employees who've long since taken over this forum.


Yup, it could transform into a sex robot and they'd complain about the color of its hair.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Kognito
30 months ago

I wasn't really talking about overcharging the battery, but rather talked about charge cycle of it.

The average life span of a lithium battery is between 400 to 500 charge cycles, everytime you plug in and out from your cable, it's consider 1 charge cycle regardless of the charge level.

If i travel in and out of my house over 5 times a day, my battery will have to go through 5 charges that day, and i dont think it will do any good to the battery for sure.


That's not true in the slightest. Having worked as a software engineer on lithium ion battery charging ICs, I can assure you a 'charge cycle' is broadly considered as a full depletion of the cell's capacity. In the case of an iPhone, if you charge it fully, deplete to 50%, then charge fully and deplete to 50% again, you've used a 100% of a charge cycle, not 2 charge cycles.

It's the chemistry of the battery that eventually wears out rather than there being some set number of times you can flip the switch to charge it.

Edit:

Apple is also clear on how their batteries function http://www.apple.com/batteries/why-lithium-ion/
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
keysofanxiety
30 months ago



Its like plugging the phone in whenever you reach a place, imagine the damage done to the battery.


Absolutely none. 'Overcharging' is a myth. You do more damage to the battery if you constantly drain it and top it back up (full charge cycling).

Batteries will deplete naturally over time anyway; nothing you can really do to ebb the flow. So just use it as you normally would.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
profets
30 months ago
Well, one thing is for certain, it's going to be quite interesting to see the build up and announcement of this supposed iPhone 8.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
NT1440
30 months ago


The average life span of a lithium battery is between 400 to 500 charge cycles, everytime you plug in and out from your cable, it's consider 1 charge cycle regardless of the charge level.

First off, who cares what the "average lifespan of a lithium battery is"? Apple has for years been using batteries that are rated for 1000% cycles (that are supposed to maintain 80% capacity at the 1000 cycle) in their entire lineup (phones, tablets, laptops).

Second, that's not how charge cycles work.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
Wanted797
30 months ago

So much hype for the iP8.
Will it disappoint?


Yep. And not because of what Apple make but mainly because of the media hype. Apple hasn't promised anything.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
gigapocket1
30 months ago
Well this will be a game changer for sure. It's going to be amazing to just walk into your house/room and your phone will start charging. Or get in your car and you don't have to plug anything on.
This is the missing key to going wireless.
Heck. The lightening connector will be dead in the next 2-3 years
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
simply258
30 months ago
I fear that come September, it will be the 7S.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
Mac Fly (film)
30 months ago
Yes but the competition is warming up—explosive things to come.
[doublepost=1484825314][/doublepost]Energous and possibly Lite-On with its Snap-On name ripoff and other fuel cell company are just pumping their stock. Going to predict this early: doesn't even charge from 15' away. Needs to be near or touching source. True wireless charging in something as tiny as a smartphone for the regular consumer still 3-7 years away.
Rating: 2 Votes
[ Read All Comments ]