Well-connected Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF Securities has shared a new bit of information about future models of Apple’s iPhone lineup. Kuo says the 2023 iPhone lineup will boast a “periscopic telephoto lens.”
Kuo’s remarks came in a research note shared by MacRumors. While Kuo did not provide any additional details about the 2023 iPhone camera setup, several previous reports have exposed details about Apple’s work on a periscope lens, which is aimed at providing a significant improvement in optical zoom capabilities. Kuo had previously anticipated that a periscope lens would debut on the 2022 iPhone, but now it appears he has changed his target date to 2023.
Several smartphones already boast periscope lens technology. Huawei’s P30 Pro offers 5X optical zoom, while Samsung’s latest smartphones feature a 100x zoom feature. Current iPhones max out at 2.5x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom.
Kuo also shared details on both the 2021 and 2022 iPhones.
As for the 2021 iPhones, Kuo sees Apple adopting a new Face ID transmitter made from a plastic material instead of glass. It isn’t clear if this would have new benefits for users or if it will simply mean a reduction in production cost for Apple.
High-end 2021 iPhones will also feature an upgraded telephoto lens, upgrading the lens from a 5-element lens to a 6-element lens, which Kuo says is made possible through “design and production advantages.”
As for the 2022 iPhones, rear-facing camera improvements will focus on the device’s telephoto lens, with Apple upgrading from a 6-element lens to a 7-element lens. They 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.