Apple Reportedly Using New Method to Assemble iPhone Cameras in Effort to Save Costs

Apple is reportedly changing up the way it produces camera modules for its iPhone, now opting to individually produce each of the camera lenses separately, rather than procure them together and have them pre-assembled, according to a report from The Elec.

iPhone 12 cameras
The report notes that up to last year, Apple's ‌iPhone‌ camera lenses were produced by its suppliers LG InnoTek, Sharp, and O'Film. The lenses were "pre-assembled." Now, Apple is consolidating the production of its camera modules to its largest supplier, Foxconn, to save costs.

Up to last year, Apple has procured double and triple camera modules from its suppliers LG InnoTek, Sharp, and O'Film that are pre-assembled.

But it is now procuring these camera modules individually and gave the job of assembly to Foxconn. The measure is being done to save cost.

Foxconn, in preparation for its new camera assembly responsibility, has received new inspection equipment from the South Korean firm Hyvision System. The new system will check whether the wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto cameras' lenses, including their optical axis and image sensors, are correctly aligned on higher-end ‌iPhone‌ models. An incorrect alignment could result in drastically reduced image quality.

The new changes are being done to "save costs," but it remains unclear if those savings would be presented to customers. It's also unclear whether the new production methodology and Foxconn's role in camera assembly will be in practice for the upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 13. Given that the new iPhones are already in production, that's unlikely to be the case.

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Top Rated Comments

yellowbunny Avatar
50 months ago
“it remains unclear if those savings would be presented to customers” lol
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
50 months ago
We already got those savings last year when Apple deleted the power adapter and EarPods.

iPhone 12 is $829, up from the $699 iPhone 11.

Oh wait.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JonR356 Avatar
50 months ago
I can't imagine that any cost savings would be passed onto consumers. Apple is already anticipating supply constraints.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1BadManVan Avatar
50 months ago
Interesting. Hope it’s not at risk of any quality control though. Not like this company doesn’t already rake in enough profits
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
saudor Avatar
50 months ago

Just raise the prices of the iPhone, Apple. I’m willing to pay whatever price you decide to put out there.

The periscope camera in 2022 is not going to be cheap. It looks like a very complicated design as is.

Just take my a** already! My hole is ready for you, Apple
ladies and gents, this is why we end up with $300 keyboards with no function keys and poor writing experience!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrjetsondc Avatar
50 months ago
I don’t understand any of this but I still would like to comment. Thank you for reading.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)