iPhones might not get periscope cameras until 2023 or later

Date:
Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:58:18 +0000

Description:
Apple is reportedly having patent and supplier issues for its rumored periscope zoom cameras.

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As good as the cameras are on the iPhone 12 range, theres one area where theyre notably lacking optical zoom. The most any of the models can manage
is 2.5x zoom, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and some other rival
handsets offer 10x. Thats thanks to periscope lenses, and this is a tech that we might not see in an iPhone for a long time.

Weve heard numerous reports that Apple is planning a periscope camera for a future iPhone, with some saying it could be ready in time for the iPhone 14
in 2022, but the latest report suggests we wont see it until 2023 at the earliest.

Thats according to The Elec (a South Korean tech news site), which claims
that getting the required tech is proving a tricky process for Apple, one
that apparently involves trying to keep its partners happy and could mean paying licensing fees if Apple cant find a workaround for patents. These are the best camera phones Check out the best iPhones The iPhone 13 is almost
here

If The Elec is right then Apples possible approach will be to get some of the components from Jahwa Electronics, which is part of Samsungs supply chain for periscope cameras. However using this companys technology could run Apple
into issues with patents, unless it has a workaround.

The report alternatively suggests that Samsung's Electro-Mechanics subsidiary could supply some components to LG, which would then build the cameras for Apple, a move that could avoid patent problems and protect Apples
relationship with LG.

There appears to be a lot of uncertainty as to what Apple will actually do though, and thats the problem, as The Elec reckons that Apple needs to finalize specs and suppliers this year in order to offer a periscope camera
in 2023. By the sounds of things then 2022 is off the table if The Elec is right, and even 2023 is in doubt. The S21 Ultra's long-range zoom is very useful (Image credit: Aakash Jhaveri) Analysis: sooner or later Apple will offer periscope cameras, and they cant come soon enough

Apple is often late to offering technologies in its phones, with a recent example being 5G, but the worthwhile ones almost always arrive eventually,
and we have little doubt that the company considers periscope cameras worthwhile.

Beyond all the rumors that Apple is working on a periscope zoom, its just an obvious upgrade for a smartphone camera. Improvements to general photo
quality are great to see, but at the top end they tend to be relatively minor from one model to the next, while going from offering 2.5x zoom to 5x, 10x or more would be a huge boost.

You might ask why youd want to shoot 10x zoom photos, but there are many circumstances where theyre handy. Concerts and sporting events where the performers are far away, shots of wildlife (whether in the wild or a zoo), distant buildings, or just anything else you cant easily get close to. There are so many potential applications.

Thats not to say more conventional 2x and 3x zoom cameras should or will go anywhere. Samsung on the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers both 3x and 10x optical
zoom, so you can get the best of both worlds, and in future theres talk of continuous optical zoom on phones, which would allow you to move from 1x to the maximum zoom level optically, so you can zoom to numerous distances.

All of which is to say periscope zoom is almost certainly coming to the
iPhone range, and it will be worth the wait. With all Apples money and power we wouldnt count it out in 2023 or even 2022 either, though the latter is looking less likely at this point. Grab some of the best free iPhone apps

Via PocketNow



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/iphones-might-not-get-periscope-cameras-until-2 023-or-later/


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