Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo today released a new report detailing his research on which lens suppliers will begin providing parts for Apple in the coming years.
We predict that Semco, the best Korean lens supplier, and Sunny Optical, the best Chinese lens supplier, will enter the Apple lens supply chain in 2H20 and 2021, respectively.
The new suppliers are said to hurt the revenue of Genius Electronic Optical, which presently provides lenses for Apple.
While the ins and outs of which suppliers source Apple's parts may not be of great interest to consumers, Kuo references another shift that will be of interest to iPhone buyers. Kuo believes that Semco will be providing a large percentage of new periscope telephoto lenses to Apple for the 2022 iPhone.
Kuo previously reported on Apple's design plans for periscope lenses in conjunction with Taiwanese supplier Genius Electronic Optical, though it seems those plans may have changed.
Periscope lenses have already seen their way into some smartphones and provide manufacturers a way to provide much higher optical zoom in a smartphone-sized package. Huawei, for example, ships the P30 Pro which offers a 5x true optical zoom using a similar mechanism. A 10x optical zoom phone is reportedly also in the works from Huawei.
Apple has filed patents related to periscope lenses as recently as 2016. According to the description included in the patent, light would be channeled into the camera through a primary lens, bounced off of the included mirror in the smartphone, and then would be sent to a secondary lens that moves up and down for the purpose of zooming in. Apple describes it as a "folded telephoto camera lens system".
Thursday March 20, 2025 12:01 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost.
The new perk is the ability to create invitations in the Apple Invites app for the iPhone, which launched in the App Store last month.
In the Apple Invites app, iCloud+ subscribers can create invitations for any occasion, such as birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. Anyone ...
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
iPhone 17 Pro's alleged design via Front Page Tech
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025:
Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone...
Thursday March 20, 2025 2:04 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
While the first iOS 19 beta is still more than two months away, there are already plenty of rumors about the upcoming software update.
Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far.
visionOS-Like Design
In January, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech revealed a redesigned Camera app that is allegedly planned for iOS 19.
According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the Camera app...
We're not getting new Siri Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 as expected, but the upcoming update does have quite a few new additions that will be worth upgrading for. We've rounded up the five best features to look forward to, and if you're not running the beta, you can expect to get access to these in early April.
Priority Notifications
If you have an iPhone or iPad that supports...
Thursday March 20, 2025 6:52 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Is Apple experiencing a "Vista-like drift into systemically poor execution?"
That was a question posed by well-known technology analyst Benedict Evans, in a recent blog post covering Apple's innovation and execution, or seemingly lack thereof as of late. He is referring to Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, which was widely criticized when it launched in 2007 due to software bugs,...
Wednesday March 19, 2025 6:55 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly. It has been three and a half years since Apple first announced the...
Tuesday March 18, 2025 9:13 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for.
Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for...
Thursday March 20, 2025 5:27 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Seasoned leaker Sonny Dickson has shared more dummy models of Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, with the latest lot revealing a noticeable shift in Apple's iPhone Pro model design that goes beyond the much-talked-about new rear camera bar.
Dickson points out that the iPhone 17 Pro dummy models feature an outlined area on the back, beginning just below the camera module and extending to the...
Thursday March 20, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Following the introduction of the iPhone 16e, new iPads and Macs, and some new accessories over the past month, what will Apple's next product announcement be? Based on rumors, a second-generation AirTag item tracker is likely next up.
Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new AirTag would be released around the middle of 2025. More recently, a leaker known as Kosutami claimed...
iPhones honestly seem like they need to pick up the pace with the lack of optical zoom. It’s 2020 and the flagship iPhone currently only has 2x optical zoom yet Huawei is packing in 5x optical zoom and likely will soon push out 10x. Apple has got to step their game up.
Completely agree. Apple is falling wayyyyyyy behind the competition. 2X optical zoom is unacceptable in 2020 (and 2019 when 11 Pro Max was released last year). Apple really should implement 100X zoom like S20 Ultra and P40 Pro+, but do it in a much better way that doesnt scarifice quality. I need ultra crisp and clear long range zoom.
That’s the whole point, no? Companies like Samsung can do it so early because they sacrifice the implementation for the sake of being first.
Agreed, zoom would be very nice. I suppose that it is really difficult to make a good optical zoom in such a small camera (distortion issues or whatsoever...), and that Apple wants to make it right rather than make it fast (Hello SpyHuawei).
iPhones honestly seem like they need to pick up the pace with the lack of optical zoom. It’s 2020 and the flagship iPhone currently only has 2x optical zoom yet Huawei is packing in 5x optical zoom and likely will soon push out 10x. Apple has got to step their game up.
Completely agree. Apple is falling wayyyyyyy behind the competition. 2X optical zoom is unacceptable in 2020 (and 2019 when 11 Pro Max was released last year). Apple really should implement 100X zoom like S20 Ultra and P40 Pro+, but do it in a much better way that doesnt scarifice quality. I need ultra crisp and clear long range zoom.
