Optical zoom will be a key upgrade to high-end smartphones in 2020, according to the latest prediction from noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a research note with TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said the rear camera on Huawei's upcoming P40 Pro will feature a redesigned periscope telephoto lens and become the world's first smartphone with 10x optical zoom. The device is expected to launch in the first half of 2020.
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Huawei competitor Oppo had promised a smartphone with 10x optical zoom earlier this year, but it has so far only released a model with 10x hybrid zoom, which relies on a combination of optical zoom and software.
Kuo said enhanced optical zoom will extend to more high-end smartphones next year, although he did not specify if that will include the iPhone, which currently maxes out at 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. Optical zoom preserves the quality of a shot when zooming in, while digital zoom results in some blurriness.
In other camera news, a supply chain report from DigiTimes today claims that Apple's high-end 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhones in 2020 will adopt sensor-shift image stabilization technology. While details are slim, sensor-shift technology could bring image stabilization to the ultra-wide lens on high-end 2020 iPhones.
Top Rated Comments
2x is great for portraits, but why not more?
Looking forward to getting next years iPhone..
Literally the only addition I care about in a phone. Sometimes you just can't get close enough to get good details, and cropping in often results in a non-usable photo. Won't be upgrading until that happens, and after that they'd have to brick it with an update for me to think about moving on.I’m not in the market for a new iPhone until 2021ish, but if higher zoom is available on future models then BRING IT ON APPLE!
high quality zoom is what I’m looking for
But you wouldn't HAVE to go all the way to 10x. I would much rather have the option if I needed it, than be stuck at 2x and need 5x.My Huawei P30 Pro has a fantastic 5x optical zoom. The results are amazing. However, I'm not sure about the 10x optical zoom.... 3x is perfect, 5x is great, but 10x is much too long for practical use.
And 10x optical zoom is exactly that. What's your point?The features have to be meaningful and offer specific use cases...not just higher specs.