According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to add a 48-megapixel camera lens to the iPhone next year, followed by a periscope lens in 2023.
In a research note obtained by MacRumors today from TF International Securities, Kuo stated that these iPhone camera upgrades over the next two years will help Taiwanese manufacturer Largan Precision’s market share, revenue, and profit.
Kuo did not provide any additional information, but he previously stated that the 48-megapixel camera will be limited to iPhone 14 Pro models and will support 8K video recording, up from 4Know. According to him, these high-resolution 8K videos would be suitable for viewing on Apple’s AR/VR headset, which is expected to be released next year.
Kuo previously stated that iPhone 14 Pro models could support 48-megapixel and 12-megapixel output, which would most likely be accomplished through a process known as pixel binning. Pixel binning, which is already used on some Android smartphones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra, could allow iPhone 14 Pro models to shoot 48-megapixel photos in bright light and 12-megapixel photos in low-light conditions to preserve quality.
Kuo also stated that he believes at least one iPhone 15 model will receive a periscope lens in 2023, paving the way for significantly increased optical zoom. This lens would have folded camera optics, which bend or “fold” light absorbed by the image sensor, allowing for increased optical zoom while maintaining a compact design suitable for smartphones.
Huawei’s P40 Pro+, for example, has a periscope lens with up to 10x optical zoom, whereas iPhone 13 Pro models only have 3x optical zoom.
