Samsung could end up helping Apple dramatically improve camera lineup on future iPhone models



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According to the English version of ET News, Apple is looking for suppliers capable of delivering “folded cameras”. Such a component would be used to improve the optical zoom capability on future iPhone models. The folded camera has been used by other manufacturers including (but not limited to) Samsung and Huawei and is also referred to as periscope cameras. This is because they refract light like a periscope, and the lens and sensors are placed horizontally instead of vertically.
Apple, according to people familiar with the company’s thinking process, has already had discussions with one company in particular to obtain patented “folded camera” technology and patents. Using the periscope, a future iPhone model should be “able to provide high magnification optical zoom without affecting the thickness of a smartphone.” In other words, even with a more powerful optical zoom, the iPhone won’t necessarily need a bigger camera bump.

Among the relatively few companies that offer “folded cameras” is Samsung which used it on the 100x spatial zoom of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Samsung has acquired many patents needed for this technology during the acquisition of Corephotonics in Israel last year. A camera module industry official said, “The ball-type actuator is the key to the folded camera, and the actuator patents are held by Corephotonics which was recently acquired by Samsung Electronics. We hear that Apple is not able to easily design the folded camera structure due to patent issues. “
Apple’s camera module vendors include LG Innotek, Sharp, and O-Film. Providing Apple with parts for “folded cameras”, Samsung would join the iPhone camera supply chain. But some say Samsung won’t work with Apple on these cameras so it can maintain a competitive edge over the iPhone.

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