Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo today released a new report detailing his research on which lens suppliers will begin providing parts for Apple in the coming years.
We predict that Semco, the best Korean lens supplier, and Sunny Optical, the best Chinese lens supplier, will enter the Apple lens supply chain in 2H20 and 2021, respectively.
The new suppliers are said to hurt the revenue of Genius Electronic Optical, which presently provides lenses for Apple.
While the ins and outs of which suppliers source Apple's parts may not be of great interest to consumers, Kuo references another shift that will be of interest to iPhone buyers. Kuo believes that Semco will be providing a large percentage of new periscope telephoto lenses to Apple for the 2022 iPhone.
Kuo previously reported on Apple's design plans for periscope lenses in conjunction with Taiwanese supplier Genius Electronic Optical, though it seems those plans may have changed.
Periscope lenses have already seen their way into some smartphones and provide manufacturers a way to provide much higher optical zoom in a smartphone-sized package. Huawei, for example, ships the P30 Pro which offers a 5x true optical zoom using a similar mechanism. A 10x optical zoom phone is reportedly also in the works from Huawei.
Apple has filed patents related to periscope lenses as recently as 2016. According to the description included in the patent, light would be channeled into the camera through a primary lens, bounced off of the included mirror in the smartphone, and then would be sent to a secondary lens that moves up and down for the purpose of zooming in. Apple describes it as a "folded telephoto camera lens system".
iPhones honestly seem like they need to pick up the pace with the lack of optical zoom. It’s 2020 and the flagship iPhone currently only has 2x optical zoom yet Huawei is packing in 5x optical zoom and likely will soon push out 10x. Apple has got to step their game up.
Completely agree. Apple is falling wayyyyyyy behind the competition. 2X optical zoom is unacceptable in 2020 (and 2019 when 11 Pro Max was released last year). Apple really should implement 100X zoom like S20 Ultra and P40 Pro+, but do it in a much better way that doesnt scarifice quality. I need ultra crisp and clear long range zoom.
That’s the whole point, no? Companies like Samsung can do it so early because they sacrifice the implementation for the sake of being first.
Agreed, zoom would be very nice. I suppose that it is really difficult to make a good optical zoom in such a small camera (distortion issues or whatsoever...), and that Apple wants to make it right rather than make it fast (Hello SpyHuawei).
iPhones honestly seem like they need to pick up the pace with the lack of optical zoom. It’s 2020 and the flagship iPhone currently only has 2x optical zoom yet Huawei is packing in 5x optical zoom and likely will soon push out 10x. Apple has got to step their game up.
Completely agree. Apple is falling wayyyyyyy behind the competition. 2X optical zoom is unacceptable in 2020 (and 2019 when 11 Pro Max was released last year). Apple really should implement 100X zoom like S20 Ultra and P40 Pro+, but do it in a much better way that doesnt scarifice quality. I need ultra crisp and clear long range zoom.
We've seen a lot of teasers about the Beats Studio Buds over the past month since they first showed up in Apple's beta software updates, and today they're finally official. The Beats Studio Buds are available to order today in red, white, and black ahead of a June 24 ship date, and they're priced at $149.99.
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Wednesday August 25, 2021 3:55 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Google has rolled out picture-in-picture support as an "experimental" feature for YouTube premium subscribers, allowing them to watch video in a small window when the app is closed.
If you're a premium YouTube subscriber looking to try out picture-in-picture, follow these steps: Launch a web browser and sign into your YouTube account at YouTube.com.
Navigate to www.youtube.com/new.
Scroll...
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The finish line is in sight! Apple's annual iPhone event is likely just a week or so away and all eyes will be on the company as it unveils the next version of its most popular product line. With any luck, we'll also see the next-generation Apple Watch and perhaps even some new AirPods.
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As is tradition, Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak joined Daring Fireball's John Gruber in an episode of The Talk Show to discuss several announcements that Apple made over this weeks WWDC, including iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and a large focus around privacy.
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Apple today seeded the third betas of new iOS and iPadOS 14.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the second iOS and iPadOS 14.6 updates.
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Top Rated Comments
Unless there’s a report next year suggesting substantial improvements for the '23 model ;)
I suppose that it is really difficult to make a good optical zoom in such a small camera (distortion issues or whatsoever...), and that Apple wants to make it right rather than make it fast (Hello SpyHuawei).