Rumors Persist of 2022 iPhones With Periscope Lens, Could Allow Up to 10x Zoom Without Blurriness

Apple may use components made by Samsung for a "folded" telephoto lens on at least some iPhone models released in 2022, allowing for significantly increased optical zoom, according to unnamed sources cited by Korean website The Elec.

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The report claims that Samsung's Electro-Mechanics subsidiary would supply components such as actuators and lenses to LG, which in turn would use the components to manufacture the folded camera module to supply to Apple. This move would supposedly prevent Apple from hurting its relationship with LG, and address issues related to patents.

The possibility of a folded or "periscope" lens on 2022 iPhones was first mentioned by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in March, and there have been several rumors since. The technology would allow for significantly increased optical zoom on iPhones, well beyond the current 2x and 2.5x limits on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, respectively. Huawei's P40 Pro+ smartphone, for example, features a periscope lens with up to 10x optical zoom.

With folded camera optics, light absorbed by the image sensor is bent or "folded," allowing for increased optical zoom and improved image quality while maintaining a compact lens design appropriate for smartphones. Earlier this year, we shared a more detailed overview of what a periscope lens could mean for future iPhones.

Related Roundup: iPhone 14
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

Nozuka Avatar
51 months ago

Wouldn't be surprised if Apple pulled that off
Sounds like "pulling it off" is mostly buying it from a supplier ;)
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
longofest Avatar
51 months ago
I for one, would like to congratulate the site for not putting that ridiculous image of a literal "periscope" that was on the last article on this article.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
User 6502 Avatar
51 months ago

Wouldn't be surprised if Apple pulled that off
It wouldn’t be surprising at all as it’s been done already by others. Apple can just buy the same components other manufacturers have already used.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
panjandrum Avatar
51 months ago
Pretty amazing stuff. There *still* isn't any true substitute for sensor size (ultimately you have to have the light, so at least in theory, a purpose-built camera will always be potentially better), but it's crazy that the cameras in our phones are now so good that they are suited to task for all but the most demanding of purposes. A good optical zoom will fill in one big remaining gap.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locrumo Avatar
51 months ago
Ok, Apple please don't forget about the TouchId, thanks and see you in 2022.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Game 161 Avatar
51 months ago
I'm likely missing something here, but I haven't once wished for better zoom from my iPhone.
alot of iPhone users don’t wish for anything until it actually arrives…
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)