When Apple introduced the TrueDepth camera system in the iPhone X, this meant that the company had to turn to new suppliers for the components necessary for the technology behind features like Face ID. Finisar has been known as the company that supplies to the necessary components to Apple, and now it looks like they might have been bought out.
A report from the Financial Times (via AppleInsider) has revealed that a company known as II-VI has acquired Finisar for about $3.2 billion. According to II-VI, they believe that this acquisition will “unite two innovative, industry leaders with complementary capabilities and cultures to form a formidable industry-leading photonics and compound semiconductor company.”
It is unclear as to what this acquisition will mean for Apple and their supply of Face ID components, and whether or not the acquisition could see II-VI increase the price of components or if Finisar’s existing deals will remain untouched while they are still under contract.
That being said, this acquisition will allow II-VI to expand into consumer electronics, such as autonomous vehicles which interestingly enough is an area in which Apple has expressed interest in and is currently pursuing, although to what end is anyone’s guess. The deal is expected to close in the middle of 2019.