Elliptic Labs (OSE: ELABS), best known for turning hardware sensors into pure software magic, is quietly expanding its footprint in the smartphone world. In August alone, the company’s AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform™ landed on six new devices:

• HONOR Play 70 Plus

• vivo TR4 and iQOO Z10R

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 and Redmi Note 15 Pro

• Transsion Infinix GT30

That brings Elliptic Labs’ year-to-date tally for 2025 to 45 smartphone launches, cementing its role as a go-to software partner for OEMs looking to cut costs and streamline design.

How It Works: INNER BEAUTY Proximity Detection

The highlight of the platform remains the AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY®. It does what every smartphone needs: detect when you lift the device to your ear during a call. The display shuts off, touch input is disabled, and you avoid the embarrassment of accidentally hanging up with your cheek.

Most phones use a dedicated infrared hardware sensor for this job. Elliptic Labs replaces that with software—no extra component required. The result? Lower bill of materials for manufacturers, less supply-chain risk, and fewer parts crammed into already tight smartphone designs.

Battery savings come as a bonus since the screen powers down when not in use.

Why It Matters

Proximity detection might not sound glamorous, but it’s a mission-critical function for smartphones. By virtualizing it, Elliptic Labs is effectively rewriting the hardware playbook—especially for brands like HONOR, vivo, Xiaomi, and Transsion that thrive in competitive midrange markets where shaving a few dollars off device costs can make or break margins.

It’s also notable that this is software at scale: Elliptic’s AI Virtual Smart Sensors are now deployed in over half a billion devices worldwide. The company’s ability to quietly embed itself across major OEM portfolios suggests we’re seeing a long-term shift away from dedicated hardware sensors in mainstream devices.

The Bigger Picture

While Apple and Samsung have yet to make the leap to virtual-only proximity sensing, the broader Android ecosystem is proving fertile ground for Elliptic’s tech. As component shortages and rising BOM costs continue to pressure manufacturers, expect software-defined sensors to spread beyond proximity detection—think presence, gesture, and even environmental sensing.

For now, Elliptic Labs is playing the long game: cut hardware where you can, replace it with AI-powered software, and keep pushing OEM adoption model by model. At 45 smartphone launches this year and counting, the momentum is clearly on their side.

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