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Largan rumored to supply 8MP camera for Apple's next iPhone in Q3 2011

Providing more evidence that the next-generation iPhone will include an improved 8-megapixel camera, a new report says Taiwan's Largan Precision is expected to supply the necessary components.

Industry sources in Taiwan reportedly told DigiTimes that Largan could receive "possible orders" from Apple in the third quarter of 2011. That would align with rumors that Apple will not release its next iPhone until the end of the company's 2011 fiscal year, which concludes in late September.

According to the report, most of Largan's current business comes from selling 5-megapixel lenses, while 8-megapixel camera modules represent just 10 percent of the company's business. But that percentage could change drastically if the company does secure orders from Apple for its so-called "iPhone 5."

Largan already supplies 5-megapixel lenses for the iPhone 4, and last year it was said that the company was selected as the sole supplier of lenses for the iPad 2. The iPad 2 was released in March with a forward-facing camera, as well as a rear-facing one.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo with Concord Securities told AppleInsider in September that the next iPhone will feature "slight modifications" from its predecessor, including a new 8-megapixel rear camera. Other reports have suggested the next-generation iPhone will include both CDMA and GSM radios, making it a world phone compatible with both the AT&T and Verizon networks in the U.S.

Picture quality on the new iPhone is also expected to be improved with a separate component for an improved LED flash. Various reports, including one earlier Tuesday, have suggested the flash will be moved farther from the camera lens to reduce red eye.

35 Comments

hittrj01 17 Years · 753 comments

To me, this is only logical. If this is the "spec bump" upgrade we've all been led to believe, 8MP camera has to be on the checklist. I for one believe that iPhone 5 (or whatever its name will be) will have the A5, 8MP camera, maybe a 1.3 or 2 MP on the front for FaceTime HD, and longer battery life. The same form factor, same colors, etc. I highly doubt Apple completely redesigned the entire body of the iPhone just to use that new redesign for one year. Heck, they used the original design for 3 years, simply swapping out metal for plastic on the back.

tallest skil 15 Years · 43086 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by hittrj01

heck, they used the original design for 3 years, simply swapping out metal for plastic on the back.

HARDLY.

(lowercase letters to get around the caps barrier)

prof. peabody 15 Years · 2858 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider

... secure orders from Apple for its so-called "iPhone 5."....

A bit picky perhaps, but ... you are using this phrase wrong.

Apple has actually not called the next iPhone the "iPhone 5." At least not yet.
So it's not really "Apple's so-called" anything yet.

cvaldes1831 16 Years · 1832 comments

You are arguing semantics.

The writer is just talking about the purported fifth generation handset. No one knows what Apple will call it, so any title is valid including "iPhone 5" or "Cash Cow 5."

freethinker 17 Years · 122 comments

Is an 8 MP camera that astounding? I am very happy with the picture quality of the iPhone 4's 5 MP camera. I don't see a huge leap forward or enough of a selling point for me to upgrade early...