Next Year's Dual-Camera iPhones Will Have Dual Optical Image Stabilization

Thursday November 17, 2016 5:53 AM PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-lens camera, only the wide-angle lens supports optical image stabilization. However, that could change next year.

iphone_7_plus_dual_camera
In a research note obtained by MacRumors, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo maintains his belief new dual-camera iPhone models in 2017 will support dual optical image stabilization. Kuo believes Apple will redesign the telephoto lens to support the feature in addition to existing auto focus functionality.
We believe Apple will add OIS function to the telephoto CCM in order to enhance the selling points of next year’s new iPhone. We think photo quality and optical zoom range may both improve as a result. We expect the telephoto lens will be redesigned to support OIS in the telephoto CCM, with challenges likely coming from: (1) the need to increase the image circle of the telephoto lens, which will lead to longer calibration time and a more complex assembly processes; and (2) a redesign of the telephoto lens, as an increased image circle will result in degraded photo quality around the corners.
Kuo said Apple's rumored 5.1"-5.2" OLED iPhone and a new 5.5-inch iPhone with a traditional LCD display will feature dual cameras with dual optical image stabilization, while a new 4.7-inch model with an LCD display is expected to retain a single-lens camera, also with optical image stabilization.

Kuo expects Apple supplier Largan Precision to remain the exclusive provider of 6P and telephoto lens for the trio of new iPhones.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo, dual camera
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 8 (Caution), iPhone X (Neutral)
28 comments


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decimortis
20 months ago
The cynic in me believes they could've done this for the 7+ already, but they have to hold back enticing new features for the next iteration.
The optimist in me tells the cynic to shut up because I'm buying it any way.
Rating: 8 Votes
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_Refurbished_
20 months ago
My nude, Bokeh portraits will be that much better.
Rating: 4 Votes
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LordQ
20 months ago
Looks like the phone to get is the Plus OLED. Why bother releasing the other low-end two anyway?
Rating: 3 Votes
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4ubrey
20 months ago
Are the products just so bad this year that even days after we just got new phones we're already talking about how great the next one will be?

I know Apple products are not about being content with what you have, but the cycle this year seems so anxious to move on.
Rating: 3 Votes
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lunarworks
20 months ago

Oh my gaaawwdd.

This is a feature they could've easily put in the current model. For £700, you'd think they wouldn't skimp on features, but you must not know the new Apple.

The new Apple?

One could say they've been doing it since the very first Mac.

They always deliver a quality product with something missing to add to the next version.
Rating: 3 Votes
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BeyondtheTech
20 months ago
The people who own the DJI Osmo Mobile are having serious issues with the iPhone 7/Plus due to both of the devices trying to perform their own image stabilization, and neither have the ability to turn them off. They are resorting to using the non-OIS lens on the 7 Plus as a pseudo-workaround. If nothing is rectified, that workaround will disappear with the next iPhone come next year.

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Rating: 2 Votes
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Nr123*123
20 months ago
Oh my gaaawwdd.

This is a feature they could've easily put in the current model. For £700, you'd think they wouldn't skimp on features, but you must not know the new Apple.
Rating: 1 Votes
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doelcm82
20 months ago

The cynic in me believes they could've done this for the 7+ already, but they have to hold back enticing new features for the next iteration.
The optimist in me tells the cynic to shut up because I'm buying it any way.

The realist in me thinks that these things initially aren't so much designed as cobbled together. As it was, the portrait function of the dual camera wasn't even ready in time for the launch of the iPhone 7 Plus.

Where Apple doesn't have a set deadline and takes a little more time to work on a feature (such as the TouchBar), the villagers start lighting torches and reaching for their pitchforks. In fact, there are those who question the value of spending any time or effort on dual cameras, so who can blame Apple for starting with a proof of concept?
Rating: 1 Votes
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err404
20 months ago
While I love the idea of the second camera, the quality is fairly low on the zoom lens. Between the slower lens, small sensor and lack of OIS there are few cases where I have enough light to get a great shot. I basically need to be outdoors at noon on a bright sunny day (only a slight exaggeration).
That said, I feel Apple would be better off scraping OIS and going the Pixel route. Use the space from the OIS frame to house a larger sensor. Even without the software tricks Google uses, a larger sensor would buy you the same 1 stop improvement that OIS provides.
Rating: 1 Votes
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