Contrast to the market speculations; Apple is said to be to be using the same 6P lens design even for the 2018 iPhone models according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note to investors, Kuo said that he disagrees with the market speculation that Apple is planning to integrate a 7P or a 2G3P hybrid design into the 2018 iPhone’s rear camera module.
The iPhone X currently relies on a 6P lens design. If Apple plans on shifting to the 7P lens, there will be an undue risk on 2018 iPhone’s supply chain and in the previous note. Kou opined that Apple is trying to avoid manufacturing decision that could lead to supply-constraint which happened this year with the iPhone X.
The iPhone X uses a wide-angle camera with a f/2.4 aperture which is faster than the 8 Plus with f/2.8 aperture and for the first time, Apple has included dual optical stabilization for both the rear cameras. If Apple decides on sticking to the 6P lens, the competitors of Largan who is the supplier for Apple will see a slight increase in the market, but not something that would have a significant impact on Largan’s market position.
Commenting on the same, Kuo, said:
With its rear camera specs, iPhone X has managed to strike a phenomenal balance between picture quality and form factor design, in our opinion, given how far we’ve come today technologically. Switching from a 6P lens to a 7P lens or a 2G3P hybrid lens, with camera module design largely similar to iPhone X’s, would make for only limited improvements in aperture performance, we believe.