Samsung Electro-Mechanics May Supply Camera Components To LG
LG may use components from Samsung Electro-Mechanics for 2022 iPhone. (Photo: Mark Chan on Unsplash)

Samsung reportedly agrees to supply components to LG for use in its development of Apple's 2022 iPhone model with a folded zoom camera.

LG, a long-time supplier-partner of Apple in its camera modules, is mulling on using Samsung components in developing the folded zoom camera that the Cupertino tech giant could use on its future iPhone models, specifically those that the company intends to launch in 2022. Previous reports indicate that Apple was looking for folded camera technology suppliers that can help improve its future iPhone camera's zoom capabilities.

In July, Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable TF Securities analyst, stated that future iPhone models with "periscope" lenses are on track for release in 2022. Though the Cupertino tech giant did not confirm the reports, insiders say the company is leaving it up to LG, its camera partner, to negotiate with Samsung Electro-Mechanism for folded camera components for the development of Apple's 2022 iPhone model with a folded zoom camera.

Recently, TheElec, a Korean Electronics Industry Media outlet, reported that Samsung Electro-Mechanisms agrees to supply folded camera components, which include actuators and lenses, to LG InnoTek. The report also stated that LG would use these components to supply the Cupertino tech giant with folded zoom camera modules.

According to industry observers, a folded camera framework utilizes a prism or mirror in the lens' center to reflect light. Its functions are similar to that of a periscope. This structure allows the camera to utilize the iPhone body's length and width instead of solely considering the thickness of the smartphone's body and its camera bump. The result is a much-improved optical zoom. With recent reports that Samsung already agreed to supply LG with folded camera components, the future of the development of Apple's 2022 iPhone with a folded zoom camera looks brighter.

 At present, Samsung uses the folded zoom camera technology in its Galaxy S20 Ultra family. While it is possible for Apple to source directly its folded camera modules from Samsung Electro-Mechanics, such a deal might harm the Cupertino tech giant's relationship with LG InnoTek. On one hand, industry observers also believe that Samsung is unlikely to enter into a component supply agreement with its rival. However, a deal that involves LG procuring the folded zoom camera components from Samsung and supplying the camera modules to Apple for its development of a 2022 iPhone model with a folded zoom camera, can work.

Rumors say that when it comes to folded zoom camera technology patents, Apple lags behind Samsung. Sources say that while the Korean tech monolith uses ball guide actuators in its folded camera setups, Apple still uses springs to move the lens barrels. The deal with LG, as reported by TheElec, as regards its procurement of folded zoom camera components from Samsung Electro-Mechanics and supplying the camera modules to Apple for use in its development of a 2022 iPhone model with a folded zoom camera, helps the companies avoid any relationship and patent issues.