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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

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

 

[berrymetal]

Wouldn't be surprised if Apple pulled that off

 

[appleguy123]

How much extra space does this take up in the phones that have it? Any hope for it to make it to the non-max version?

 

[Nozuka]

Wouldn't be surprised if Apple pulled that off

Sounds like "pulling it off" is mostly buying it from a supplier

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

How much extra space does this take up in the phones that have it? Any hope for it to make it to the non-max version?

Excited for Apple to add a decent zoom range (starting at zoomed out/wide doesn't equal 5x), but yeah hoping this isn't limited to the max at the launch

 

[User 6502]

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.

 

[longofest]

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.

 

[phenste]

Don’t go sharing these rumors and making me second-guess my tentative 12PM purchase (which I desperately need on account of a green-striped XS Max) ?

(I live in the middle of nowhere. Lots of fun little creatures and bits of nature to capture, and every improvement on optical zoom is a great upgrade for me.)

 

[calstanford]

Everything old (hello Minolta Dimage X) will be new again (in 2022)

 

[panjandrum]

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.

 

[locrumo]

Ok, Apple please don't forget about the TouchId, thanks and see you in 2022.

 

[The Game 161]

Improved zoom is the only thing the iPhone cameras really don’t have that the comp does. They are amazing in all other areas so while better zoom isn’t a massive deal to have 10x would be impressive.

lets face it they would only be a year behind if they add this in 2022. S21 ultra is only just adding this for 2021. I imagine they would add this for the pro max only.

 

[The Game 161]

Ok, Apple please don't forget about the TouchId, thanks and see you in 2022.

Rumoured for 2021 will see though

 

[Sanme]

Not impressed till I get microscope vision
?✌?

 

[DocMultimedia]

How much extra space does this take up in the phones that have it? Any hope for it to make it to the non-max version?

I'd bet only the Max Pro. I'll be disappointed.

 

[JM]

Hey! Where's our periscope graphic!!

 

[Baymowe335]

Sounds like "pulling it off" is mostly buying it from a supplier

If it were that simple, everyone could do it.

 

[NT1440]

If it were that simple, everyone could do it.

Not in a world so stupidly locked behind IP patents.

 

[doboy]

Wouldn't be surprised if Apple pulled that off

I'm sure Samsung and others will get there first.

 

[NT1440]

I'm sure Samsung and others will get there first.

Samsung owns the patent on the “ball actuator” required for these, so probably. They bought the IP off another company a year or two ago.

 

[AirunJae]

This is what I've been wanting for a while. 2 and 2.5x ok, but seems like it's mostly useful for depth info in portrait mode. 5-10x would be especially useful for when you simply can't get physically closer to something.

 

[Just sayin...]

A periscope sounds like something that I’d accidentally break off my iPhone the first week of ownership. And yes, I know it’s all internal to the phone, but still...

 

[lazyrighteye]

I'm likely missing something here, but I haven't once wished for better zoom from my iPhone.

 

[Cosmosent]

If memory serves me, the Technology first become widely used during Trench Warfare in World War 1.

 

[Born Again]

Don’t go sharing these rumors and making me second-guess my tentative 12PM purchase (which I desperately need on account of a green-striped XS Max) 😂

(I live in the middle of nowhere. Lots of fun little creatures and bits of nature to capture, and every improvement on optical zoom is a great upgrade for me.)

Who needs a periscope?