Apple iPhones will adopt a “periscopic telephoto lens” in 2023, according to a research note released tonight by respected TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
/article-new/2020/10/iphone12protriplelenscamera.jpg?resize=560%2C299&ssl=1)
Kuo did not elaborate, but we heard several earlier rumors about Apple’s work on a periscope lens, which would allow for significant improvements in optical zoom capabilities. Kuo said earlier that he expected Apple to adopt a periscope lens on 2022 iPhone models, but it appears that he now believes that this will not happen until 2023.
Existing smartphones have already adopted periscope lens technology. Huawei’s P30 Pro allows 5x optical zoom, and a iPhone with a periscope lens may have similar features. Today’s iPhones peak at 2.5x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom, but better zoom capabilities can allow Apple iPhones to compete with smartphones that focus on zoom functionality. Samsung’s latest smartphones, for example, have a 100x zoom feature that current Apple iPhones cannot match.
In addition to the prediction about periscopic lens technology in 2023, Kuo shared details about the 2021 and 2022 iPhones.
For iPhones 2021, Kuo believes that Apple will adopt a new facial identification transmitter made of plastic material instead of glass, which is now possible thanks to the improved coating technologies. It is unclear whether this will benefit the end user for iPhone owners or whether it will simply mean a reduction in the cost of production for Apple.
In the past, it was widely believed that the reason why Tx lenses had to adopt the glass material was to avoid distortion due to the heat generated by the operation of the VCSEL. Our latest research indicates that the Face ID TX lens for the new 2H21 iPhone will be made of plastic instead of glass, thanks to improved coating technologies and that the suppliers of Tx plastic lenses are Largan and Genius, with Largan being the main beneficiary of this material change due to its greater participation in the offer.
The next-generation iPhones launched in 2021 will also have an upgraded telephoto lens, with Apple upgrading from a 5-element lens to a 6-element lens, which Kuo says is possible thanks to “design and production advantages”.
Kuo said improvements to the rear camera that will arrive on next-generation iPhones in 2022 will focus on telephoto lenses, with Apple upgrading from a 6-element lens to a 7-element lens for the iPhone 14.
The iPhone models that will arrive in 2022 are also expected to adopt a new “unibody lens design”, which Kuo says Apple will use to reduce the size of the front camera module.
To reduce the size of the front camera module, we anticipate that the new iPhone will adopt a unibody lens design in 2S22, at a minimum. This design requires the lens and VCM [voice coil motor] to be assembled before shipping to the MCC. As Largan will begin shipping the CMiPhone VCM to new iPhones in 2H21, we believe that if Apple adopts unibody lens design in the future, Largan, a new VCM supplier, will be able to integrate the production advantages of lens design and benefit of this new trend.
Kuo said earlier that he believes the 2022 iPhone will models will transition from a notch screen to a punch punch screen that some Android smartphones have previously adopted. Apple is expected to use this design for next-generation iPhones that will arrive in 2022, but if production yields are high enough, all 2022 iPhones will be able to use the same hole punch design.