Flexible PCB specialists Zhen Ding Technology and Flexium Interconnect, reportedly among the suppliers of flexible antenna modules for the upcoming iPhones and other new Apple devices, are both poised to post strong sales results for the second half of 2021 with significant shipment increases, according to market sources.
Apple is expected to strengthen shipment pull-ins from components suppliers for new iPhones and Apple Watch series through the third quarter of the year, and ramp up those for new MacBook Pro and AirPods devices later in the quarter, the sources said.
There will be few upgrades in flexible PCB modules adopted for new iPhones, with only an additional flexible antenna module required and battery modules adopting flexible solutions rather than rigid-flex ones, the sources said, adding that therefore average unit prices for flexible PCB shipments for new iPhones can hardly rise significantly.
As antenna modules require high-layer FPCB and involve better unit prices than other applications, FPCB suppliers able to secure a larger portion of shipments to Apple will see better revenue gains for second-half 2021, the sources continued.
Zheng Ding, now serving nearly 50% of Apple's antenna module demand, is expected to see the share grow further in 2021, with revenue ratio for such modules to rise to a double-digit level, the sources said. It will supply flexible battery modules for new iPhones, adding further revenue growth momentum in the months ahead, the sources added.
Flexium has also secured 50% of LCP (liquid crystal polymer) antenna modules for new iPhones in 2021, apart from supplying MPI (modified polyimide) modules for other Apple devices. The company is expected to see antenna module sales contribute around 25% of its total revenues for the year, noted the sources.
Zheng Ding's June revenues rose 19.71% on year to NT$10.303 billion (US$369.28 million), and January-June sales jumped 29.44% on year reaching NT$56.958 billion.
Flexium saw June revenues gain 7.36% on year reaching NT$2.261 billion, with first-half 2021 sales expanding 27.1% on year to NT$14.182 billion.
