Kuo: 2023 iPhones with a “periscopic” telephoto lens

Apple iPhones will adopt a “periscopic telephoto lens” in 2023, according to a research note distributed tonight by well-known TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo did not elaborate, but we heard some previous rumors about Apple’s work on a periscope lens, which would allow significant improvements in optical zoom capabilities. Kuo previously said that he expected Apple to adopt a periscope lens in the iPhone 2022 models, but it seems that he now believes that this will not happen until 2023.

Existing smartphones have already adopted periscope lens technology. Huawei P30 Pro allows 5x optical zoom, and an “iPhone” with a periscope lens could have similar capabilities. Current iPhones have a 2.5x optical zoom and a 12x digital zoom, but better zoom capabilities could allow Apple iPhones to compete with smartphones that have focused on zoom functionality. The latest Samsung smartphones, for example, have a 100x zoom function that current Apple iPhones cannot match.

In addition to the prediction about periscope lens technology coming in 2023, Kuo shared details for both the iPhone 2021 and 2022.

For the 2021 iPhones, Kuo believes that Apple will adopt a new Face ID transmitter, made of a plastic instead of glass, which is now possible thanks to improved coverage technologies. It is unclear whether this will benefit end-users for iPhone owners or whether it will simply mean a reduction in production costs for Apple.

In the past, it was widely believed that the reason the Tx lens had to adopt glass material was to avoid distortions due to the heat generated by VCSEL operation. Our latest survey indicates that the Face ID TX lens for the new 2H21 ‌iPhone‌ will be made of plastic instead of glass, thanks to improved coating technologies and that Tx plastic lens suppliers are Largan and Genius, Largan being the main beneficiary of this change material due to its higher supply share.

State-of-the-art iPhones launched in 2021 will also have a modernized telephoto lens, with Apple switching from a 5-element lens to a 6-element lens, which Kuo says is possible through “design and production advantages” .

Kuo said the rear-facing camera enhancements that will come on state-of-the-art iPhones in 2022 will focus on the telephoto lens, with Apple moving from a 6-element lens to a 7-element lens for ‌iPhone‌ 14.

The “iPhone” models coming in 2022 are also expected to adopt a new “unibody lens design”, which Kuo says Apple will use to reduce the size of the front camera module.

To reduce the size of the front camera module, we predict that the new ‌iPhone‌ will adopt a single-lens lens design in 2H22 at the earliest. This design requires objective and VCM [voice coil motor] to be assembled before shipment to the CCM. Since Largan will start delivering ‌iPhone‌ VCM for new iPhones in 2H21, we believe that if Apple adopts single-lens lens design in the future, Largan, a new VCM vendor, can integrate the benefits of lens design production and benefit from this. new trend.

Kuo previously said he believes the 2022 22iPhone models will move from a notch to a perforated-style display that some Android smartphones have previously adopted. Apple is expected to use this design for the latest generation iPhones that will come in 2022, but if production yields are high enough, all 2022 iPhones could use the same punching design.