Rumors about the iPhone 2021 series are documented almost daily. Now the well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has spoken out regarding the camera.
In a new note to investors that focuses primarily on developments and changes within Apple's supply chain, Kuo explains that three of the new iPhone models will have the same 7P wide-angle lens with a ƒ1.6 aperture as their respective iPhone 12 counterparts. The Pro Max model, on the other hand, will have a wide-angle lens with ƒ1.5 aperture, a marginal increase compared to the ƒ1.6 aperture of the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Kuo explains that Sunny Optical will be the new supplier for the 7P wide-angle lens, adding that mass production of the camera system could start as early as May. Looking at the long term, Kuo says that demand for optical lenses for Apple devices will only increase significantly in the next few years thanks to AR and Apple Car.
We expect Sunny Optical to successfully pass the quality inspection of the iPhone 13 7P wide-angle lens order. Since iPhone 13 mini, 13 and 13 Pro use the same f1.6 7P wide-angle lens (as opposed to the 13 Pro Max's f1.5 7P wide-angle lens), Sunny Optical's order is the most in-demand one. We estimate that Sunny Optical will deliver the iPhone 13 7P wide-angle lens to LG Innotek as early as May.
iPhone 2021: Bigger battery, smaller notch and more
While the 2021 iPhones won't have a significantly improved wide-angle lens, according to Kuo, the ultra-wide-angle lens could be upgraded. According to analysts at Barclays, all four iPhone 2021 models will include improved ultra-wide-angle lenses with an ƒ/1.8 aperture, as opposed to the iPhone 12's ƒ/2.4 aperture. Aside from the camera lens, well-connected display analyst Ross Young has predicted that the size of the camera sensor will increase on the 2021 Pro models. Although Young did not specify which of the three cameras will get a larger sensor, a larger sensor would in turn have larger pixels. In other words, the sensor could collect more light, resulting in much better image quality. Earlier this month, Kuo reported that Apple is planning a smaller notch and larger batteries for the entire iPhone 2021 lineup. The Pro models are said to feature a ProMotion 120Hz display. Below you will find an overview of all the rumors so far. (Photo by ADCstock / Bigstockphoto)