Apple AR headset & 48-megapixel iPhone coming in 2022, says Ming-Chi Kuo

Aalyst Ming-Chi Kuo says at least one new iPhone in 2022 will feature a 48-megapixel camera, and that Apple will launch an Apple AR headset then.

Doubling down on his previous predictions for Apple hardware, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has told investors that he still expects Apple to release an AR headset, and 48-megapixel iPhone. He's now further basing this on his research that shows Apple has been altering the mix of its suppliers.

Kuo reports that there has been price competition, but "lens prices are expected to stabilize" from the second quarter of 2021. "[And] pressures will significantly improve from [the second half of 2021]," he wrote in a note seen by AppleInsider.

The changing price competition, and altering supplier mix, comes in part because of Apple's addition of Largan Precision for "iPhone 13" lens components. Kuo believes that Sunny Optical is to lose ground to Largan, ultimately gaining under 3% of Apple's orders, instead of the expected 10%.

Kuo reports that Sunny Optical now has less incentive to work on iPhone, as its return on investment is significantly higher with lens for Android phones. "If [Sunny Optical] focuses on the more demanding Android market, it is expected to significantly benefit in revenue and profits," he says.

It's believed, then, that the majority of Apple's lens orders will go to suppliers Largan and Genius. "Largan and Yujingguang are currently cooperating with Apple to develop 2Q22 AR/MR HMD lenses," says Kuo, "and 2H22 new iPhone 48MP high-end lenses."

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.

8 Comments

bluefire1 1310 comments · 10 Years

About 3 years ago

Looks like the folding iPhone won’t be arriving until 2023.

Japhey 1772 comments · 6 Years

Didn’t he say mid-2023 last month? And mid-2024 the month before? And 2021 before that? And 2022 before that? These blindfolded dartboard throwing predictions are hard to keep straight.

viclauyyc 847 comments · 10 Years

Pixel counting war is so 2010’s.

There is very limited need for a 50 mp class photo. First, people are just not printing their photos like in 90’s. Second, with a such tiny sensors, there are no way photos can be as good as 15mp class sensor, and photos will be a lot worst in low light settings.

The only need for a high pixel count camera is to telling the world Apple has it too. Apple don’t need that.

AppleZulu 2176 comments · 8 Years

Japhey said:

Didn’t he say mid-2023 last month? And mid-2024 the month before? And 2021 before that? And 2022 before that? These blindfolded dartboard throwing predictions are hard to keep straight.

But I keep reading that Kuo is “well connected” and “highly accurate.” Of course, unlimited mulligans will make anyone‘a golf score seem good.

avon b7 8011 comments · 20 Years

viclauyyc said:

Pixel counting war is so 2010’s.

There is very limited need for a 50 mp class photo. First, people are just not printing their photos like in 90’s. Second, with a such tiny sensors, there are no way photos can be as good as 15mp class sensor, and photos will be a lot worst in low light settings.

The only need for a high pixel count camera is to telling the world Apple has it too. Apple don’t need that.

Almost all phone cameras with high megapixel counts default output to much lower megapixel values through the use of pixel binning. The maximum output is still available if you want it though.