Rumors circulating online indicate that Apple is in the process of searching for a 'folding camera' supplier to help boost the iPhone camera's zoom capability.
There are talks that Apple is currently searching for a 'folding camera' supplier to help improve the zoom capability of cameras in future models of the iPhone. Rumors indicate that having such a folding camera will greatly boost its zoom feature without increasing the size of the camera bump on future iPhone models.
Designing cameras with better and improved capabilities is hard due to the size limitations of the smartphones. Features such as enhanced zoom capabilities require more space than what is currently available. Rumors say, however, that once Apple finds a 'folding camera' supplier, iPhone cameras with improved zoom features need not require a lot of space in future models. Sources say that future iPhone models may have one 'folded camera' on one of its lenses in its three-lens cluster.
Industry observers say that the structure of the 'folding camera' hugely depends on a prism or mirror in the center of the lens collection, instead of having a straight line of sight between the camera sensor and the subject through the lenses. Having this configuration allows the camera to benefit from the width and length of the iPhone's body, instead of considering only the thickness of the smartphone's body, as well as the camera bump extension. Once Apple finds a 'folding camera' supplier that will pass its requirements, the company can then integrate an improved optical zoom, allowing future iPhone models to adjust distances between its lenses and sensors to maximize magnification on a subject.
The concept is not entirely new as other smartphone manufacturers use the same 'folding camera' configuration, such as in the case of Samsung's Galaxy S20 Ultra. There are also those who believe that the existing relationship of Apple with Samsung for iPhone components might help the two tech giants extend their partnership to include cameras. Tech analysts even say that while Apple may be looking for a 'folding camera' supplier to improve its iPhone camera's zoom capability, it might already be considering Samsung to be that supplier.
According to some tech analysts, it makes sense if Apple considers Samsung as its 'folding camera' supplier to improve the zoom capabilities of its camera in future iPhone models. The analysts opine that the Cupertino tech giant may have to look towards Samsung for such requirement anyway as it already encountered some problems in securing a patent for folding camera designs. Samsung owned most of the patents on folding camera designs after it acquired the Israel-based Corephotonics. However, it is also possible that Samsung will opt not to cooperate with Apple on folding camera components and instead reserve such capability on its own smartphones. At this point, what can happen as regards this matter is anyone's guess.
