With just a week to go until Apple launches the iPhone 14 (opens in a new tab), the rumors are coming thick and fast — just yesterday we reported on the new flagship, which is rumored to boast Apple’s long-rumored satellite link feature ( opens in a new tab).
Now, trusted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (opens in new tab) has said via Twitter that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models will feature new ultra-wide camera sensors that can capture 1.4 µm pixels – resulting in greater detail and better low-light performance than possible with the 1.0 µm pixels found in the iPhone 13 Pro (opens in new tab).
(3/4) I predict the ultra-wide cameras on two iPhone 14 Pro models to upgrade to 1.4µm (versus 1.0µm on the iPhone 13 Pro). The CIS (CMOS Image Sensor), VCM (Voice Coil Motor) and CCM (Compact Camera Module) have significant increases in unit cost with this upgrade, by around 70%, 45% and 40%. August 30, 2022
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A jump to 1.4 µm pixels in the iPhone 14 Pro models from 1.0 µm pixels in the iPhone 13 Pro models for their ultra-wide cameras is a significant jump and something to (potentially) be very excited about.
According to Kuo, the new CMOS image sensor will be joined by a new voice coil motor (VCM) and a new compact camera module. He tweeted that they “have a significant unit price increase in this upgrade, about 70%, 45%, and 40%.” In an additional tweet, the respected analyst revealed that Sony will supply the CMOS sensors, Minebea and Largan will take care of the VCM, and LG will supply the main module of the compact camera.
(4/4) Price increases of other components are limited. Sony ( CIS ), Minebea (first VCM vendor), Largan (second vendor) and LG Innotek ( CCM ) are the significant beneficiaries of the ultra-wide camera upgrade. August 30, 2022
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Upgrading the camera sensor to 48MP
Other likely rumors surrounding the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models are a new main sensor with a significant upgrade from 12MP to 48MP, coming via a report by TrendForce (opens in new tab). Apple is rumored to support both 48MP and 12MP shooting modes to allow 48MP images to be captured in well-lit conditions and 12MP images in lower light, giving users a choice.
Another exciting leak, which we really hope is true, suggests that Apple will finally take the front-facing selfie camera seriously and equip the upcoming flagship with a higher-tech device. This phone rumor (opens in new tab) comes courtesy of Korean site ET News (opens in new tab), which has published a series of reports on Apple’s supply chain, the latest providing information from “industry sources” about the products of Apple using from Korea’s LG Innotek for the iPhone, not the iPhone 15 as originally planned. However, the upgrade is said to come at a price: “Apple originally planned to install LG Innotek products on the front camera of the iPhone 15, which is scheduled to be released next year, but recently moved the schedule forward quickly. It is understood that there were quality issues from the Chinese camera manufacturers during the quality tests. ET News goes on to say that while the front camera was considered a cheap part by Apple, it is now expensive.
The most significant part of this leak is the mention of the switch to LG Innotek, which means that the iPhone 14’s selfie camera will finally have autofocus, a missing feature that has seriously disappointed Apple in the past. This ties in with earlier information (opens in a new tab) provided by Ming-Chi Kuo (opens in a new tab) in April, when he tweeted that the upcoming iPhone lineup would include two key upgrades to the front camera: autofocus and larger lens aperture.
(1/2) The front camera on four new iPhone 14 models in 2H22 will likely upgrade to AF (autofocus) and around f/1.9 aperture (vs. iPhone 13 FF (fixed focus) and f/2.2). April 19, 2022
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There’s only a week left to find out if Kuo is right about either or both, and indeed which of the other iPhone 14 rumors and leaks turn out to be legitimate.
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