[THE INVESTOR] Korean camera module-maker Patron will reportedly be supplying its iris camera modules for Samsung Electronics’ next premium smartphone, presumably the Galaxy Note 7, according to news reports on June 15.

The Korean camera module firm reportedly won a bid months ago to supply the entire volume of biometric modules needed for the upcoming smartphone, which is expected to be unveiled on Aug. 2 in New York City.


Some of renderings of the smartphone have been leaked online, apparently showing that the Note 7 is fitted with two cameras -- one for selfies and the other for iris scanning.

Compared to fingerprint scanning technology, which works by recognizing 40 traits on a fingerprint, the iris scanner recognizes 266 traits on an iris, meaning the latter offers greater accuracy and security.

Samsung has long mulled over deploying iris scanning tech in its smartphones, including the Galaxy S4, which was released in 2013.

An industry expert said that back then the company had ditched plans to adopt iris-scanning technology at the last minute, as the feature was still immature and not as user friendly as a fingerprint scanner.

Since 2011, five models have been released as part of Samsung’s Note lineup. Samsung will reportedly skip the Note 6 in order to sync the numbering of Note products with the Galaxy S smartphone lineup.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)