Optical Image Stabilization May Be Differentiating Factor for 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 [Updated]

Rumors have suggested Apple's next-generation iPhone may include camera improvements in the form of optical image stabilization with modules produced by sensor company InvenSense, but according to a new prediction from Pacific Crest Securities analysts John Vinh and Kevin Chen, optical image stabilization may be a feature limited to just the larger 5.5-inch iPhone.

Citing a cost premium of $4 to $5 for optical image stabilization over traditional auto focus solutions, the two analysts believe that Apple will use the feature as a differentiating factor between the 4.7-inch iPhone and the more premium 5.5-inch iPhone.

We believe the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 smartphone camera will support optical image stabilization (OIS) and anticipate that it will represent one of several opportunities at Apple that will benefit InvenSense. In our analysis, we believe Apple chose to only include OIS camera technology in the larger iPhone 6 given that there is still a significant cost premium ($4 to $5) over standard auto focus solutions and that it provides a point of differentiation between the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the step-up model (5.5-inch)

Optical image stabilization (OIS) is designed to reduce shake and stabilize photos and videos using either a lens with built-in stabilization or a separate sensor. In the past, this has been limited to traditional digital cameras, but recently, cell phone manufacturers like Google, HTC, Nokia have been incorporating OIS systems in order to improve photo quality. Currently, the iPhone 5s uses software-based image stabilization techniques, which are seen as inferior to OIS.

invensense

Comparison image courtesy of Electronics 360

Apple aims to improve photo quality with each iteration of the iPhone, so new image stabilization techniques make sense for the next-generation phone. The company also has a history of limiting features to its flagship offering, such as Touch ID for the iPhone 5s, and it appears that the 5.5-inch iPhone may be the higher-end 2014 model. Rumors have suggested that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 might include a $100 price premium over the 4.7-inch version and that it might be the only model to receive a sapphire crystal screen.

Along with optical image stabilization for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone, Chen and Vinh are also "increasingly confident" that the iPhone 6 will support NFC, based on supply chain conversations. This is in line with previous rumors that have suggested NFC may finally be deployed in the iPhone 6 ahead of an upcoming mobile payment solution.

While it was initially thought that Apple's 4.7-inch iPhone 6 would launch first due to manufacturing issues with the 5.5-inch version, it seems Apple may have solved those problems. A report from Bloomberg earlier this week has suggested both the 5.5-inch and 4.7-inch iPhones may launch simultaneously later this year.

Update 5:15 PM PT: KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is also predicting the larger 5.5-inch iPhone will be the only model to offer optical image stabilization due to supply constraints.

Differing from market consensus, we don't expect the main camera of the 4.7" iPhone 6 to use OIS VCM due to production capacity restraint at iPhone 6 VCM suppliers Mitsumi (JP) and Alps (JP). Rather, we predict it will use a middle-mount type of open-loop VCM updated from the one used in the existing iPhone 5S. The 5.5" iPhone 6 is more likely to be equipped with OIS VCM due to lower estimated shipments and the need for more product features to differentiate itself from the 4.7" iPhone 6

The smaller 4.7-inch iPhone is expected to feature a lens module that will offer faster focusing speeds and power efficiency than the module being used in the iPhone 5s, however, which Kuo suggests "will lead its rivals."

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

mrxak Avatar
127 months ago
If the specs really are different (other than screen size) between different sizes of iPhones, a lot of people are going to be pissed off. Not everybody wants a huge phone.
Score: 105 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
127 months ago
$4-$5 cost premium. So expensive.
*sips Starbucks*
Score: 55 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DanielDD Avatar
127 months ago
I thought the Differentiating factor would be the size of the screen. I'm so dumb :(
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr Dashles Avatar
127 months ago
Don't worry, folks. Next week, an analyst will predict both models will get OIS, and all will be right with the world. :rolleyes:
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
127 months ago
Can't believe people are complaining about this....

The 4.7" model is going to be the "C" model and the 5.5" is going to be the premium model. It's funny because people never complained over the lack of Touch ID in the 5c.

Lol, maybe because the 5 and 5s are the same size bud and some people like their mobile phones mobile.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeeJee Avatar
127 months ago
I wanted a 4.7 inch because I feel like it's the "Goldie Locks" for me. I don't really play games or anything that would warrant the need for a screen as large as the 5.5. So something like this would kind of piss me off because it's almost like punishing the user for not wanting a huge screen. I don't want a 4.7 to save money, I want it because I know for a FACT the 5.5 would be too large for everyday use, and my pockets.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...