For the iPhone 6s Plus, Apple proposes a new fingerprint with the same detection principle but new design, new front-end process and new back-end packaging. With the iPhone 6s Plus, Apple introduces a new fingerprint sensor. The new device has the same structure and capacitive technology than the previous one, but with important innovations in term of sensor design, die process and packaging. Integrated in the home button, the 12.5x10.9 mm sensor is incorporated within a rectangular shaped housing composed of a stainless steel ring and an aluminum base. The sensor is protected by a sapphire window coated with two different materials and supported by innovative assembly of dies and flex PCB. The fingerprint sensor allows it to scan the fingerprint just by pushing the button. The sensor has a resolution of 10,752 pixels with a pixel density of 500ppi. It uses a capacitive touch technology to take an image of the fingerprint from the subepidermal layers of the skin. Respect to the old fingerprint sensor, the new sensor is composed of two dies, one dedicated to the sensing and one containing the logic. The ASIC die has a 0.18µm manufacturing process and the sensor die is manufactured with a more recent CMOS 65nm technology. While in the previous sensor had edge cavities for the wire bonding; the new sensor is implemented with TSV which allow a better packaging and wire bonding to the flex PCB. The report includes comparisons with iPhone 5s fingerprint sensor and with the latest Samsung’s and Huawei’s fingerprints buttons.

1. DISCLAIMER : System Plus Consulting provides cost studies based on its knowledge of the manufacturing and selling prices of electronic components and systems. The given values are realistic estimates which do not
bind System Plus Consulting nor the manufacturers quoted in the report. System Plus Consulting is in no case responsible for the consequences related to the use which is made of the contents of this report. The
quoted trademarks are property of their owners.
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Electronic Costing & Technology Experts
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44200 Nantes – France Phone : +33 (0) 240 180 916 email : info@systemplus.fr
November 2015 – Version 1 – Written by Elena Barbarini

2. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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Glossary
1. Overview / Introduction 4
– Executive Summary
– Reverse Costing Methodology
2. Company Profile 7
– Apple
3. Physical Analysis 9
– Synthesis of the Physical Analysis
– iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Disassembly 11
– Home Button Removal
– Home Button Assembly Views
– Home Button Assembly 15
– Home Button Assembly Views
– Gasket & Flex PCB Removed
– Fingerprint Sensor
– Home Button Cross-Section – Sapphire Window
– Home Button Cross-Section – Sensor Packaging
– Fingerprint Sensor Die 32
– Sensor Die View, Dimensions & Marking
– Sensor Die Capacitors
– Sensor Die Delayering
– Sensor Die Bonding & TSV
– Sensor Die Process
– Sensor Cross-Section (Metal Layers, TSV…)
– Sensor Process Characteristics
– Fingerprint Sensor ASIC Die 57
– Sensor Die View, Dimensions & Marking
– Sensor Die Delayering
– Sensor Die Process
– Sensor Cross-Section
– Sensor Process Characteristics
4. Sensor Manufacturing Process 69
– Sensor Front-End & TSV Process & Fabrication Unit
– Sensor 3D Packaging Process Flow & Fabrication Unit
– Sensor ASIC Process & Fabrication Unit
– Sensor Packaging Process & Fabrication Unit
5. Cost Analysis 81
– Main steps of economic analysis
– Yields Hypotheses
– Sensor 86
– Sensor Front-End, TSV & 3D Packaging Cost
– Sensor Back-End 0 : Probe Test, Thinning & Dicing
– Sensor Wafer Cost
– Sensor Die Cost
– ASIC 96
– ASIC Front-End & Back-End 0
– ASIC Wafer Cost
– ASIC Die Cost
– Sapphire Window 102
– Sapphire Manufacturing & Supply Chain
– Sapphire Window Cost
– Home Button Assembly Cost 107
6. Apple’s iPhone 6 Vs iPhone 6s Fingerprint 111
7. Apple’s Vs Samsung’s Vs Huawei’s Fingerprint 115
Contact 118

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• This full reverse costing study has been conducted to provide insight on technology data,
manufacturing cost and selling price of the Apple iPhone 6S Fingerprint Sensor & Home Button
Assembly.
• The new device has the same structure and capacitive technology than the fingerprint of iPhone 5S
and 6, but with significant innovations in term of sensor design, die process and packaging.
• Integrated in the home button, the 12.5x10.9 mm sensor is incorporated within a rectangular
shaped housing composed of a stainless steel ring and an aluminum base. The sensor is protected
by a sapphire window coated with two different materials and supported by innovative assembly
of dies and flex PCB.
• The fingerprint sensor allows it to scan the fingerprint just by pushing the button. The sensor has a
resolution of 10,752 pixels with a pixel density of 500ppi. It uses a capacitive touch technology to
take an image of the fingerprint from the subepidermal layers of the skin.
• The sensor is composed of two dies, one dedicated to the sensing and one containing the logic.
While the ASIC die has a 0.18µm manufacturing process, the sensor die is manufactured with CMOS
65nm technology and it is connected by mean of TSV and wire bonding to the flex PCB.

4. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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Home button disassembly

5. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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6. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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7. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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8. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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9. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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• The die marking includes:
NVT8417 – B0
Ⓜ © 2014
ASIC Die Marking

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11. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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• We perform the economic analysis of the Sensor IC Front-End with the IC Price+ tool.
• We perform the economic analysis of the Sensor IC WL packaging with the 3D Package CoSim+ tool.

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18. iPhone 6S Plus Fingerprint Sensor
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Reverse costing analysis represents the best cost/price evaluation given the publically available data, and estimates
completed by industry experts.
Given the hypothesis presented in this analysis, the major sources of correction would lead to a +/- 10% correction on the
manufacturing cost (if all parameters are cumulated).
These results are open for discussion. We can reevaluate this circuit with your information. Please contact us:
• Consulting and Specific Analysis
– North America: Steve LaFerriere, Director of Northern America Business Development, Yole Inc.
Email: laferriere@yole.fr
– Japan: Yutaka Katano, General Manager, Yole Japan & President, Yole K.K.
Email: katano@yole.fr
– RoW: Jean-Christophe Eloy, President & CEO, Yole Développement
Email: eloy@yole.fr
• Report business
– North America: Steve LaFerriere, Director of Northern America Business Development, Yole Inc.
Email: laferriere@yole.fr
– Europe: Fayçal El Khamassi, Headquarter Sales Coordination & Customer Service
Email: khamassi@yole.fr
– Japan & Asia: Takashi Onozawa, Sales Asia & General Manager, Yole K.K.
Email: onozawa@yole.fr
– Korea: Hailey Yang, Business Development Manager, Korean Office
Email: yang@yole.fr
– Taiwan/China: Mavis Wang, Business Development Manager, Chinese Office
– Email: wang@yole.fr
• Financial services
– Jean-Christophe Eloy, CEO & President
Email: eloy@yole.fr
• General: info@yole.fr