iPhone With Triple-Lens Rear Camera Predicted to Launch Next Year

[MacRumors]

At least one new iPhone with a triple-lens rear camera led by a 12-megapixel lens may be introduced in 2019, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News.

A very rough mockup of an iPhone X with a triple-lens rear camera​

The report predicts the camera would have a 6P lens design with 5x zoom, but it doesn't specify whether that pertains to optical, digital, or hybrid zoom. The single-lens iPhone 8 has up to 5x digital zoom, while the dual-lens iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X have up to 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom.

If the report proves to be accurate, then Apple will be following in the footsteps of Huawei and its new P20 Pro smartphone, which also has a three-lens rear camera system, including a primary 40-megapixel f/1.8 lens, a 20-megapixel f/1.6 monochrome lens, and an 8-megapixel f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.

Huawei P20 Pro​

A three-lens rear camera would provide a lot of advantages, including greatly improved low-light performance. In his P20 Pro review, The Verge's Vlad Savov said Huawei's new camera system is "superior to those on the Galaxy S9 and iPhone X," though he noted that personal preference may sway that decision.

All in all, this prediction suggests a third-generation iPhone X with an even better camera and possibly 3x optical zoom will launch in 2019. As far as this year is concerned, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn't expect many changes to the iPhone X's current dual-lens rear camera system.

Article Link: iPhone With Triple-Lens Rear Camera Predicted to Launch Next Year

 

[L-Viz]

Will it be triple protruding?

 

[ozone1]

Scaramanga anyone?

 

[scottcampbell]

3rd lens is the charm!

 

[justperry]

A very rough mockup of an iPhone X with a triple-lens rear camera​

Indeed a very rough mockup, the cameras would not be separate as in the above mockup like the Huawei.

 

[Dave245]

Makes sense as phone cameras get more and more impressive they will need to do more things like adding more lenses in order to improve low light and so on. If it improves on the Bokeh effect feature i'll be happy as i love that on my iPhone X.

 

[5105973]

Scaramanga anyone?

We need to be banned. I immediately thought of Eccentrica Gallumbits. Sigh. Sometimes I think my brain is stuck in middle school mode.

A far as three lenses go, I guess existing cases won't be compatible even if they retain the same overall shape and dimensions to the current X model.

 

[gnipgnop]

This is starting to sound like the razor industry...just add another lens each year and say it's improved.

 

[Baymowe335]

Well Apple led the 2 lens revolution and everyone copied.

 

[SoApple]

Can’t wait to get a 10 lens iPhone

 

[DNichter]

Fine by me I guess. All flagship phones today take very good pictures. I certainly wouldn't change platforms for something like that, but good to see progress from all manufacturers.

 

[centauratlas]

Maybe with 3 lenses they'll use two to allow 3d photography

 

[dwaltwhit]

Apple will be accused of copying because they can count past 2

 

[Quu]

Three cameras on the back now? This is getting rather expensive, those camera modules, lenses and such aren't cheap.

When you consider that Google has managed to do better photos with one camera than the iPhone X can do with two I question Apples strategy here.

 

[Weaselboy]

This is starting to sound like the razor industry...just add another lens each year and say it's improved.

The future is here!

 

[mysterydate]

Pretty excited to see where this goes

 

[AngerDanger]

Not mentioned in the article: three cameras would support 4D photos and video as well, allowing for rudimentary time travel and violation of causality!

 

[iPhysicist]

That’s not rough that’s simply bad.

 

[rmoliv]

Copying Huwaei now? I want a phone not a compact camera!!!!!

 

[nwcs]

If this rumor is true then Apple is definitely stepping into lightfield technology. It will inevitably come but it would be neat to see it work sooner. Having 28, 50, and 75mm equivalent field of view will be nice but the stabilization really needs to be improved. If they could get a 4.5 stop stabilization that would make a big difference.

 

[cmaier]

This is starting to sound like the razor industry...just add another lens each year and say it's improved.

Except that adding lenses really does improve it.

 

[MrGimper]

So like processors, we start rating cameras by how many cores they have

 

[DTECHQUE]

These iPhone mock-ups/concepts are so cringe...

 

[cmaier]

So like processors, we start rating cameras by how many cores they have

Nobody who knows anything rates processors by the number of cores.

 

[Cosmosent]

The third-lens could simply be for "Full-Res" Depth Data Capture ! ... i.e., companion Depth Data for the RGB image sensors, for crafting Portrait Mode photos & videos.

But 2019 ??? ... WTF Apple ???