Dual-Lens Camera
Sony could be falling behind schedule in supplying Apple with dual-lens camera modules for the company's next 5-5inch smartphone that could be named iPhone 7 Plus or iPhone Pro. This is reportedly due to lower production and recent earthquake damage caused to a large factory.
Chris Chang of Nomura Securities released the note to investors about Sony's progress.
Kumamoto was hit with a series of 7.0-magnitude earthquakes in April. It caused fires and several structures to collapse.
Chang thinks Apple will switch to LG as its main supplier of dual-lens camera modules for the larger iPhones. The iPhone 7 Plus is likely to launch in September.
Earlier this month KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that all new 5.5-inch iPhones will include two-lens cameras. Similar reports have been made by Nomura Securities and Citi Research.
This differs from a previous report from Kuo that both single and double camera lens versions of iPhone 7 Plus would hit the market. Meanwhile, the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is likely to be a single-lens camera.
Nomura Securities also believes Apple will add optical image stabilization (OIS) to both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones. In the past it was only available for the larger iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 6 Plus models.
The exact design of the dual-lens camera system is unclear. Various leaked photos and drawings seem to show different looks and components.
Apple recently purchased LinX Technology, which explains the rumors of two-lens cameras being featured on the iPhone 7 Plus.
LinX's multi-aperture cameras could provide DSLR-quality images on iPhones. The cameras are also smaller than single-aperture cameras, which would give the smartphone a sleeker look.
LinX camera modules also provide many other benefits. They include higher resolution, better color accuracy, 3D depth mapping, zero shutter lag, and lower costs, according to Mac Rumors.
In related news, Tim Cook has become Apple's first CEO to visit India. He has already met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tech leaders, and Bollywood stars.
A statement from Modi's office reported that Apple is interested in accessing the country's potential for app development, according to USA Today.
Niel Shah is an analyst at Counterpoint. He shared that India has the world's fastest-growing smartphone market.
This video explains how dual-lens cameras work:
