Mikey Campbell
Despite analyst guesses to the contrary, Apple will likely retain the all-plastic lens stack implemented in iPhone X as a basis for its 2018 iPhone product line, according to well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors on Thursday, Ming-Chi Kuo said he disagrees with market speculation that Apple plans to integrate a 7P (seven-lens plastic lens array) or a 2G3P (two glass, three plastic lens) hybrid design into iPhone's rear-facing camera module in 2018.
Currently, iPhone X, the company's most advanced camera platform, relies on a 6P lens design.
"With its rear camera specs, iPhone X has managed to strike a phenomenal balance between picture quality and form factor design, in our opinion, given how far we've come today technologically," Kuo writes. "Switching from a 6P lens to a 7P lens or a 2G3P hybrid lens, with camera module design largely similar to iPhone X's, would make for only limited improvements in aperture performance, we believe."
Further, a transition to new 7P or hybrid lens technology would place undue risk on 2018 iPhone supply. Kuo in previous notes said Apple intends to avoid making manufacturing decisions that could lead to a repeat of this year's supply-constrained iPhone X launch.
First debuted in iPhone 7 Plus, the unique dual-lens design — one wide angle and one "telephoto" module — has allowed Apple to enhance the platform's picture taking capabilities. The new iPhone 8 Plus improves on the initial design with an updated sensor module with deeper pixels.
The top-of-the-line iPhone X integrates a wide angle camera with an f/2.4 aperture, faster than the f/2.8 aperture found on the 8 Plus. For the first time, optical image stabilization is available for both wide angle and telephoto cameras, providing superior low-light performance across an expansive optical zoom range.
In our iPhone X review, we found the new handset's rear shooter to achieve noticeably brighter shots in dimly out scenes, while the OIS helped steady otherwise shaky video.
If Apple decides to stick with the 6P design, competitors of Apple supplier Largan will likely see slightly increased market share, Kuo says. The shift is not expected to greatly impact Largan's leading market position, as the company boasts the world's largest lens capacity, giving it pricing flexibility and leeway to innovate toward 7P and hybrid lens designs.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
11 Comments
What I would like to see next year is a tele sensor the same size as the wide angle sensor, as currently, the tele is noisier. But if Apple isn’t going to change anything, then that’s likely out.
But, there’s no telling that they haven’t been working on this since early this year, or even last year. I disagree with Kuo about the modest aperture improvement. Even if it’s just a third of a stop, it’s meaningful in terms of sensitivity,, and thus noise levels. If Apple could do it, I say, go for it.
Seriously. Why is it necessary to pump up Ming-Chi Kuo with such frequency? “Well connected?” Why hold back? Why not just go with “His Excellency?”
Honestly, it’s just weird. Kuo gets these descriptors not just here, but on other sites as well. It makes one wonder if there’s some sort of behind the scenes contractural requirement to overtly try boost the guy’s reputation with laudatory modifiers every so often in order to get access to his information or something. For me, at least, it has the opposite effect. The sheer oddness of it makes me suspicious as to whether the compliments are deserved and whether Kuo is really that great an information source.
Completely agree about Kuo. I don’t get why he is always the one. Frankly he’s one of the few that I just skip over. AI is one of the better sites that doesn’t post everything he does but it is still excessive.
Most of his comments seem to have a relation with constraint which he has been wrong on a number of times. You’d think his track record would be enough to ignore him. Imo all he’s doing is stock manipulation.
What would you write if you had no information to sell? “No update of some plastic parts”. Good. Any news about the pentalobe screws?
I might speculate that the plastic lenses are lighter... allowing the image stabilization to work much better.
I also agree with Melgross that even small improvements in the lenses will make for noticeable (for pro or hobbyist type photographers) improvements in pictures.