Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple’s 2020 6.7-inch iPhone will feature multiple rear camera improvements which will include sensor-shift image stabilization.
In a research note with TF International Securities, shared by MacRumors, Kuo predicted that the technology will expand to two to three new iPhone models in 2021.
Sensor-shift technology could bring image stabilization to the Ultra Wide lens on future iPhones, starting with the 6.7-inch model. Currently, iPhone 11 Pro models offer optical image stabilization for photos and videos, but only when using the wide or telephoto lenses. Sensor-shift technology would apply stabilization to the camera sensor itself, and wouldn’t rely on using a specific lens.
Kuo’s comments jibe with an earlier DigiTimes report that claimed sensor-shift stabilization technology would be a feature on this year’s 6.7-inch iPhone. However, that report also claimed the technology would also be available on a higher-end model of two 6.1-inch iPhones that are rumored for 2020.
Kuo also predicted that at least one 2022 iPhone will feature a periscope lens, designed by Apple in partnership with Taiwanese supplier Genius Electronic Optical. This would make room for a 5x optical zoom, much like Huawei’s P30 Pro or even a 10x zoom like that rumored for Huawei’s upcoming P40 Pro. Currently, the iPhone’s cameras are limited to 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.
