MediaTek looking for low cost fingerprint sensors or modules to add to its APs

A published report on Wednesday cites industry sources as saying that silicon slinger MediaTek is looking for a partner to sell it fingerprint sensors or modules. The report states that the low priced chip manufacturer is seeking a partner in Taiwan or China, who can price the sensor or modules under $10 USD per unit.

Even though other phones have had fingerprint sensors before the Apple iPhone 5s, it is the latter that has started up demand for this feature on new high end smartphones. Chinese manufacturers, many of whom use MediaTek chips for their handsets, are looking to add a fingerprint scanner on their upcoming high end models and would like MediaTek to include the necessary silicon integrated with its current line up of APs.

Sources say that MediaTek is talking with Taiwan based EgisTec, but there is no finalized agreement yet. The company is looking in Taiwan and China because manufacturers of fingerprint sensors like Apple owned AuthenTec, Validity Sensors, and FingerPrint Card are charging more than the $10 per unit, which is all that MediaTek will pay.

source: DigiTimes