Imbpending Probability of an Enhanced Ultrawide Lens for the iPhone 13 Increases
The tech guru, Ming-Chi Kuo, has weighed in once more. He's suggesting that it's becoming increasingly probable that the iPhone 13 will boast an improved ultrawide camera, offering remarkable enhancements in low-light performance.
Kuo, known for his accuracy in Apple rumors, previously speculated in November that the iPhone 13 might sport an f/1.8 ultrawide lens with a six-element setup, as opposed to the current iPhone 12 Pro's f/2.4 ultrawide with a five-element lens and fixed focus. Although this possibility was valid, it wasn't a sure thing at the time.
What's changed? According to Kuo's latest analysis, Sunny Optical, a Chinese lens manufacturer, has successfully completed Apple's verification process for a five-element camera lens. Incidentally, these lenses are slated for shipment in the first quarter of 2021 for an unnamed iPad version. What sets this apart isn't just the fact that this is happening, but the knowledge gained during the verification process, making it significantly more likely that Sunny Optical might supply a 7P lens for a future iPhone model.
Currently, Largan, Apple's go-to lens supplier, holds an edge due to its advanced lens tech and global dominance in the smartphone camera lens market. Nevertheless, there's speculation that Sunny Optical could potentially disrupt this status quo by supplying a superior 7P lens to Apple, if given the chance.
Interestingly, not all iPhone 13 models might enjoy this upgrade. While there are predictions that the iPhone 13 lineup will mirror the current four-model setup of the iPhone 12, Kuo assumes only the higher-end models will gain this f/1.8, 6P marvel. On the other hand, MacRumors sources Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Thomas O’Malley, who argue that all iPhone 13 models will sport the f/1.8 aperture lens, similar to the iPhone 12 Pro Max's telephoto lens making its way to the regular iPhone 13 Pro.
Set your alarm clock, iPhone enthusiasts, as Kuo predicts that this improved ultra-wide lens will find its way to the iPhone 13 lineup by the second half of 2022, should everything go according to plan.
It's also rumored that all iPhone 13 models will feature an OLED display, with the Pro versions possibly boasting a 120Hz refresh rate. This would make up for the disappointment some felt when the iPhone 12 lineup lacked this feature.
When it comes to Apple, incremental improvements year after year are par for the course. If you're weighing the decision to upgrade your current iPhone to the 12, you might want to hold off and see what the iPhone 13 has in store.
Enrichment Data (15%):
- Advancements in Camera Technology: The iPhone 17 Pro and its later iterations may see significant camera upgrades, further enhancing low-light performance and improving macro shots with the ultra-wide lens.
- Camera Upgrades in Successor Models: The iPhone 14 series exhibited improved camera capabilities, including better low-light performance and refined ultra-wide lens performance. This suggests a trend of continuous camera advancements in future iPhone models.
- Industry Trends: Competitors like Samsung and Google are prioritizing larger sensors and better low-light performance. Apple is likely to follow this trend to remain competitive in mobile photography, implying potential upgrades in future iPhone models, including the iPhone 13 series.
Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his accuracy in Apple rumors, predicts that the iPhone 13 might feature an enhanced ultrawide camera with improved low-light performance, due to Sunny Optical's successful completion of Apple's verification process for a five-element lens. Kuo suggests that this could lead to Sunny Optical supplying a 7P lens for a future iPhone model. The tech industry is buzzing with rumors about all iPhone 13 models potentially featuring an OLED display and the higher-end models possibly boasting a 120Hz refresh rate.
