[THE INVESTOR] Chinese fingerprint sensor maker Goodix has recently started supplying parts to Samsung Electronics possibly for the first time, according to a statement on its website on May 11.

The company has started supplying its fingerprint sensor GW32J1 to Samsung’s Galaxy J7 Duo that was launched in India in April. The J series is India’s most popular smartphone with an almost 30 percent market share, the statement notes. 

Samsung Galaxy J7 Duo

“Goodix’s entry into its supply chain adds fuel to the firms sustainable growth and is a milestone in its overseas market expansion,” the firm said, adding Samsung shipped 317 million smartphones last year globally.

Goodix is one of the fastest-growing fingerprint sensor producers and is the largest solution developer for Android phones. Last year, the firm reported US$583 million in sales with net profit of US$141 million. The firm has supplied sensors to LG Electronics’ budget smartphones Stylus 3 and K10.

Thus far, Samsung has secured sensors mostly from Synaptics and Aegis Technologies, both based in the US. More recently, it is reducing orders from Synaptics, while diversifying its suppliers.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)