With the strong demand for iPhone X, a Taiwanese supplier is predicting that the Cupertino giant's rivals will also adopt the 3D sensing technology Apple used on the 10th anniversary iPhone to their flagship handsets. The supplier is even predicting a rise in the demand for 3D sensing modules in the next 5 to 8 years. On Tuesday, DigiTimes reported that the chairman and CEO of digital camera and imaging solution supplier Altek, Alex Hsia, is expecting strong demand for 3D sensing modules in the following years now that Apple has introduced Face ID with its iPhone X flagship phone. "The structure-light 3D sensing technology adopted by Apple's iPhone X features high accuracy at short distances, and other first-tier smartphone vendors are expected to follow suit by launching 3D sensing-enabled devices," Hsia said. The CEO predicts that consumers will see more smartphones with 3D sensing technology starting next year.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will emerge as a key marketing point in the smartphone industry next year, with the world's leading handset manufacturers scrambling to add more AI functions to their upcoming flagship devices. The move comes as big data technology, allowing devices to make human-like predictions, has been identified as a core feature for a paradigm shift in the global handset market which has stagnated in recent years. The weak growth has been attributed to toughened rivalry among existing players and a slowdown in terms of technological innovations from industry-leading handset makers ― such as Samsung Electronics and Apple ― according to observers. According to market researcher Gartner, the smartphone market has reached 90 per cent penetration in key global markets this year - including the United States, Europe and Japan ― where lifecycles for premium handsets are extended to 2.5 years on average. The trend will prolong over the next five years, added the firm.