Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
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Possibilities of a Triple-Lens iPhone Camera: Improved 3D Sensing, Zoom, and Low-Light Photos
Following in the footsteps of Huawei and likely Samsung, Apple is widely rumored to release at least one new iPhone model with a triple-lens rear camera in 2019. That model is now believed to be the next generation of the iPhone XS Max.
A render of the alleged triple-lens design has even surfaced this week, complete with what would surely be a polarizing design:
OnLeaks/Digit
If the rumor proves to be accurate and depending on the implementation, there are several potential advantages of the third lens, including advanced 3D sensing, increased optical zoom, improved low-light performance, and improved photo quality in general thanks to the collection of more light and color data.
Apple has repeatedly expressed a profound interest in augmented reality. The release of ARKit instantly made augmented reality accessible to hundreds of millions of iPhones and iPads, but Apple is just getting started in this area.
A third lens would likely result in significantly improved 3D spatial recognition on the iPhone, with a report last year suggesting that the rear-facing sensing capabilities will be even more advanced than the front-facing TrueDepth system on the iPhone X. This would open the door to several augmented reality use cases.
The same report claimed the triple-lens camera array will be capable of stereoscopic imaging, in which two of the sensors would be able to capture images of a single object from different angles. A triangulation method would then be used to obtain the distance between the iPhone and the object.
Back in 2017, Bloomberg News reported that Apple aimed to include rear-facing 3D sensing capabilities in its 2019 iPhones. But, at the time, the report said Apple was evaluating a time-of-flight approach that calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off surrounding objects to create a 3D image of the environment.
Whichever implementation Apple uses, the third lens would no doubt improve the iPhone's augmented reality capabilities. And that, in turn, could lay the foundation for the rumored launch of augmented reality Apple Glasses in 2020.
A third lens would likely enable 3x optical zoom on an iPhone for the first time, enabling users to magnify the image in the viewfinder by up to 3x without a blurry reduction in quality like digital zoom.
By comparison, the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max feature 2x optical zoom.
Huawei P20 Pro
Huawei's P20 Pro smartphone was the first with a triple-lens rear camera system, including a 40-megapixel lens, a 20-megapixel monochrome lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
A third lens on the iPhone, if a traditional sensor, would draw in additional light for improved low-light performance.
Apple is certainly heavily invested in computational photography. On the latest iPhones, for example, Smart HDR results in photos with more highlight and shadow detail, while Depth Control significantly improves Portrait Mode.
Google's new "Night Sight" mode on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL sets the bar for low-light photos, however, by using machine learning to choose the right colors based on the content of the image. The result is much brighter photos in low-light conditions, without having to use the camera flash.
With a third lens, and improved machine learning, perhaps Apple can come out with a feature to rival Night Sight in 2019.
A render of the alleged triple-lens design has even surfaced this week, complete with what would surely be a polarizing design:
If the rumor proves to be accurate and depending on the implementation, there are several potential advantages of the third lens, including advanced 3D sensing, increased optical zoom, improved low-light performance, and improved photo quality in general thanks to the collection of more light and color data.
Advanced 3D Sensing
Apple has repeatedly expressed a profound interest in augmented reality. The release of ARKit instantly made augmented reality accessible to hundreds of millions of iPhones and iPads, but Apple is just getting started in this area.
A third lens would likely result in significantly improved 3D spatial recognition on the iPhone, with a report last year suggesting that the rear-facing sensing capabilities will be even more advanced than the front-facing TrueDepth system on the iPhone X. This would open the door to several augmented reality use cases.
The same report claimed the triple-lens camera array will be capable of stereoscopic imaging, in which two of the sensors would be able to capture images of a single object from different angles. A triangulation method would then be used to obtain the distance between the iPhone and the object.
Back in 2017, Bloomberg News reported that Apple aimed to include rear-facing 3D sensing capabilities in its 2019 iPhones. But, at the time, the report said Apple was evaluating a time-of-flight approach that calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off surrounding objects to create a 3D image of the environment.
Whichever implementation Apple uses, the third lens would no doubt improve the iPhone's augmented reality capabilities. And that, in turn, could lay the foundation for the rumored launch of augmented reality Apple Glasses in 2020.
Increased Optical Zoom
A third lens would likely enable 3x optical zoom on an iPhone for the first time, enabling users to magnify the image in the viewfinder by up to 3x without a blurry reduction in quality like digital zoom.
By comparison, the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max feature 2x optical zoom.
Huawei's P20 Pro smartphone was the first with a triple-lens rear camera system, including a 40-megapixel lens, a 20-megapixel monochrome lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
Improved Low-Light Performance
A third lens on the iPhone, if a traditional sensor, would draw in additional light for improved low-light performance.
Apple is certainly heavily invested in computational photography. On the latest iPhones, for example, Smart HDR results in photos with more highlight and shadow detail, while Depth Control significantly improves Portrait Mode.
Google's new "Night Sight" mode on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL sets the bar for low-light photos, however, by using machine learning to choose the right colors based on the content of the image. The result is much brighter photos in low-light conditions, without having to use the camera flash.
With a third lens, and improved machine learning, perhaps Apple can come out with a feature to rival Night Sight in 2019.
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[ 156 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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9 months ago
Honestly... I think they're selling themselves short...
Also... anyone suffer from trypophobia?
Also... anyone suffer from trypophobia?
9 months ago
Can’t wait for the 20 lens iPhone XX with 20x optical zoom.
Seriously, Apple is running out of ideas.
Seriously, Apple is running out of ideas.
9 months ago
Not gonna lie. I thought that Google "Night Sight" was some BS "images may be simulated" marketing. I even told my buddy he fell for Google's okey doke. Then I got to see it. Ate my words. Apple definitely needs something like that. If it takes 3 lenses, so be it. The feature is that good.
9 months ago
Huawei won the implementation and design crown here. It’s also a lot cheaper as Apple’s offerings. And Apple still thinks it’s because china’s economy is slowing down?
For me it’s proof how far Apple’s staff has come from reality and customers.
For me it’s proof how far Apple’s staff has come from reality and customers.
9 months ago
You like annoying wires? That’s good but sound quality is really no different. It’s good sound regardless
Yeah I do!
* better sound quality (why do you argue this? LOL)
* no need to charge
* will work indefinitely
* doesn't waste battery life by having bluetooth on
* can be used on any other device
Did the headphone jack always bother you? You're complaints about the jack are a) weak and b) redundant. Nobody is forcing you to use the jack when bluetooth has always been there. Stop whining.
9 months ago
Please do it Apple, I want to see a design that ugly be defended by Apple consumers. I want to see more comedy like the notch and removal of the headphone jack.
9 months ago
funny that the Pixel only uses 1 camera lens to do what Apple can (maybe) do in 3
9 months ago
with all this focus on the camera, i'm afraid apple may be neglecting other important iphone features, such as doodoo emoji.
[ Read All Comments ]
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