Apple Reportedly Using New Method to Assemble iPhone Cameras in Effort to Save Costs

[MacRumors]

Apple is reportedly changing up the way it produces camera modules for its iPhone, now opting to individually produce each of the camera lenses separately, rather than procure them together and have them pre-assembled, according to a report from The Elec.

The report notes that up to last year, Apple's iPhone camera lenses were produced by its suppliers LG InnoTek, Sharp, and O'Film. The lenses were "pre-assembled." Now, Apple is consolidating the production of its camera modules to its largest supplier, Foxconn, to save costs.

Up to last year, Apple has procured double and triple camera modules from its suppliers LG InnoTek, Sharp, and O'Film that are pre-assembled.

But it is now procuring these camera modules individually and gave the job of assembly to Foxconn. The measure is being done to save cost.

Foxconn, in preparation for its new camera assembly responsibility, has received new inspection equipment from the South Korean firm Hyvision System. The new system will check whether the wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto cameras' lenses, including their optical axis and image sensors, are correctly aligned on higher-end iPhone models. An incorrect alignment could result in drastically reduced image quality.

The new changes are being done to "save costs," but it remains unclear if those savings would be presented to customers. It's also unclear whether the new production methodology and Foxconn's role in camera assembly will be in practice for the upcoming iPhone 13. Given that the new iPhones are already in production, that's unlikely to be the case.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Using New Method to Assemble iPhone Cameras in Effort to Save Costs

 

[JonR356]

I can't imagine that any cost savings would be passed onto consumers. Apple is already anticipating supply constraints.

 

[1BadManVan]

Interesting. Hope it’s not at risk of any quality control though. Not like this company doesn’t already rake in enough profits

 

[ericnxx]

Quantity (to save money) over quality I guess 🤪 I’ll still upgrade to the 13 Pro Max regardless 🤣

 

[yellowbunny]

“it remains unclear if those savings would be presented to customers” lol

 

[_Spinn_]

I wouldn’t be surprised if this was needed to counter rising prices of components due to supply constraints.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Just raise the prices of the iPhone, Apple. I’m willing to pay whatever price you decide to put out there.

The periscope camera in 2022 is not going to be cheap. It looks like a very complicated design as is.

Just take my American Dollars already! My purse is ready to hand over the $

 

[typographer]

Save costs, same retail prices, Apple Saves the environment, yay!

 

[Ethrem]

Interesting. Hope it’s not at risk of any quality control though. Not like this company doesn’t already rake in enough profits

Of course it’s going to mess with QC. Here comes #CameraGate

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Of course it’s going to mess with QC. Here comes #CameraGate

I don’t think it’s going to apply to 2021 year iPhone. I have a feeling this report is projecting towards 2022 model due to
Periscope camera layout. That name alone sounds very expensive.

Production for 2021 model iPhones are already in place.

 

[Ethrem]

I don’t think it’s going to apply to 2021 year iPhone. I have a feeling this report is protecting towards 2022 model due to
Periscope camera layout.

Production for 2021 model iPhones are already in place.

I agree that it’s likely for next year which means if I am going to stay with Apple I should probably upgrade this year.

 

[biffuz]

Sure, iPhones will be 1$ cheaper!

(hint: 1$ * 50M iPhones = 50M$ savings for Apple)

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Sure, iPhones will be 1$ cheaper!

(hint: 1$ * 50M iPhones = 50M$ savings for Apple)

Millions? Apple goal is to have the savings in Billions.

 

[biffuz]

Millions? Apple goal is to have the savings in Billions.

Of course! But this is only one piece. Add more and more savings on different pieces, expand them over several years of production, and you end up saving billions.

 

[JPack]

We already got those savings last year when Apple deleted the power adapter and EarPods.

iPhone 12 is $829, up from the $699 iPhone 11.

Oh wait.

 

[bousozoku]

Refurbished phones might be plenty. I'd hate to be handed a camera kit in pieces that needed to be used to replace a faulty camera, especially for those devices with three.

 

[Kuckuckstein]

To those, who in the Foxconn bonus discussion wrote, that Tim has no influence on workers’ salary: this is a prime example of actively exploiting low salaries. Apple moves production to the location of low salary, thus encouraging it.

And regarding quality: I am sure that - at least in time - Foxconn will get the quality right. Let’s be honest, they wouldn’t be where they are if they had not perfected production methods over all these years.

 

[PowerMacBook]

I don’t think it’s going to apply to 2021 year iPhone. I have a feeling this report is projecting towards 2022 model due to
Periscope camera layout. That name alone sounds very expensive.

Production for 2021 model iPhones are already in place.

Periscope sounds like it will be an iPhone which can be used in the deep water of the oceans...

 

[Wanted797]

I can't imagine that any cost savings would be passed onto consumers. Apple is already anticipating supply constraints.

Mate…

Apple has had “supply constraints” (whatever they are) since the iPhone 5.

 

[George Dawes]

Shame with all their zillions they can’t concentrate on making it much better , look at some of the stuff the competition are coming out with … Leica lens … nice 👍🏻

 

[Wildkraut]

Why not fill it with clue to save the screws?

 

[LFC2020]

Just raise the prices of the iPhone, Apple. I’m willing to pay whatever price you decide to put out there.

The periscope camera in 2022 is not going to be cheap. It looks like a very complicated design as is.

Just take my American Dollars already! My purse is ready to hand over the $

Stop giving Timmy boy ideas 😬😂

 

[brgjoe]

And not coincidentally, Applecare purchases will be at an all time high this year.

 

[orbital~debris]

Initial reaction to this: “ruh-roh!”

But the mention of equipment to check the alignment is a good sign; Apple know how high a reputation they have in photography and I can’t imagine they no longer want to maintain it (even if Phil doesn’t do those segments in the keynotes any more).

 

[ian87w]

Camera-gate?
Lens-gate?

Saving cost at the expense of...? Not saying anything wrong with trying to save cost, but considering Apple is a stickler in maintaining their margins, whenever they want to save cost, something gotta go.