ABOV supplies SAR sensor to Samsung

ABOV Semiconductor has supplied its specific absorption rate (SAR) sensor to Samsung Electronics for use in the Galaxy Buds series of wireless earphones, TheElec has learned.

It is ABOV’s second supply deal with the South Korean tech giant after smartphones.

SAR sensor, or proximity sensor, is used to reduce electromagnetic waves of electronic devices when the human body is around.

It is used in smartphones and wearable devices.

ABOV was supplying its A96T346 and A96T356 sensors to Samsung. The South Korean tech giant had used the company’s SAR sensor for its Galaxy series of smartphones since 2018. 

Galaxy Note9, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note10, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Z Flip all have the sensors installed.

ABOV had begun supplying the sensors to Huawei and Wingtech, an original design manufacturer used by Samsung based in China, in the third quarter as well, securing new revenue streams.

Sensors have accounted for 17% of ABOV’s sales in 2018; this has increased to 26% in 2019 and 30% in 2020 (as of the third quarter). For 2020, demand from China has accounted 10% of its total sales, a company spokesperson said.

The expanded supply of SAR sensors have helped ABOV’s earnings this year. The company has posted 105.4 billion won in accumulated sales from January to September this year, a rise of 21.7% from the same time period a year ago. Its accumulated operating income as of the third quarter for 2020 stood at 16.6 billion won, an 117.5% increase from the same time period a year ago.

ABOV’s SAR sensor supply is expected to continue to through the fourth quarter and next year. The company is expected supply the sensors for Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds model to be launched in the first quarter of 2021.