Largan Chairman Lin En-ping on H2 Lens Outlook: Q4 Will See a Higher Proportion

(CNA, Reporter Chiang Ming-yen, Taichung, 9th) As Apple's new product launch approaches, Largan Precision's Chairman Lin En-ping released the company's outlook for the second half of the year after a shareholders' meeting today. He stated that client schedules are different this year, with some (new models) slated for the first quarter of next year, resulting in a higher proportion for the fourth quarter of this year.

Industry sources indicate that Apple is expected to announce its iPhone 18 flagship series in September, with a potential debut of the iPhone Fold. There are also plans for a new iPhone 18 model next year.

Largan held its shareholders' meeting in Taichung today, chaired by Chairman Lin En-ping. In a media interview afterward, he commented on the lens industry outlook for the second half of the year, saying, "Client schedules are different this year. In the past, the third quarter was the peak, with shipments completed before the fourth quarter. Now, half is shipped first, and the other part (new models) is for the first quarter of next year. So, the fourth quarter's proportion will be a bit higher this year, with a heavier loading." He added that July will not be as busy as in the past.

Regarding the market's focus on Apple's potential first foldable phone, he admitted, "The order demand is not particularly high this year, especially with memory prices having risen so much." He noted that there is a wait-and-see attitude towards lens upgrades. An upgrade to periscope lenses, featuring a higher number of elements and increased magnification, is expected next year or the year after, still primarily using G+P (Glass+Plastic) technology.

Furthermore, in a case concerning Largan's use of German company MVTec's image inspection software HALCON, MVTec filed a civil lawsuit for damages in the Munich I Regional Court in Germany on December 31, 2024, seeking compensation of €22 million, equivalent to over NT$800 million.

In response, Lin En-ping said, "Let them seek damages. If they were confident, they should come to Taiwan to file the lawsuit, not resort to so many strange tactics." He said that he always sees news from the other party before shareholders' meetings and believes he will see it again next year.

Largan's earnings per share (EPS) last year was NT$159.41, a decrease from NT$194.17 in 2024. Largan has approved a cash dividend of NT$52 for the second half of fiscal year 114 (2025), which, combined with the NT$28 per share dividend from the first half, totals an annual dividend of NT$80. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150609