Apple stockpiling 'massive' supply of camera lens modules ahead of 'iPhone 8'
Since July, Apple has reportedly been working to secure a "massive" quantity of camera lens modules for this fall's new iPhones -- something that could be aided by one of its suppliers launching a new factory by the end of September.
Apple's demand is driving high revenues for two Taiwan-based suppliers, Largan Precision and Genius Electronics Optical, DigiTimes said on Friday. Largan, a frequent Apple supplier, is spending $661 million on the new factory in Taichung, but still recruiting workers.
Reports have so far pointed to three iPhones coming this year. Of these, two -- the "iPhone 8" and "iPhone 7s Plus" -- are expected to use dual-lens cameras like last year's iPhone 7 Plus, enabling optical zoom and a "Portait" mode that artificially blurs backgrounds. The standard "7s" will likely stick to a single-lens camera.
Largan's factory could alleviate bottlenecks in the Apple supply chain. Indeed some reports have hinted that the "iPhone 8" won't go into mass production until mid-September, making any supply chain help vital.
The late start has typically been attributed to problems with the phone's 5.8-inch OLED display, however, which could mean Largan's efforts will have a minimal impact.
Apple's demand is driving high revenues for two Taiwan-based suppliers, Largan Precision and Genius Electronics Optical, DigiTimes said on Friday. Largan, a frequent Apple supplier, is spending $661 million on the new factory in Taichung, but still recruiting workers.
Reports have so far pointed to three iPhones coming this year. Of these, two -- the "iPhone 8" and "iPhone 7s Plus" -- are expected to use dual-lens cameras like last year's iPhone 7 Plus, enabling optical zoom and a "Portait" mode that artificially blurs backgrounds. The standard "7s" will likely stick to a single-lens camera.
Largan's factory could alleviate bottlenecks in the Apple supply chain. Indeed some reports have hinted that the "iPhone 8" won't go into mass production until mid-September, making any supply chain help vital.
The late start has typically been attributed to problems with the phone's 5.8-inch OLED display, however, which could mean Largan's efforts will have a minimal impact.
Comments
Right, but it discredits the non-rumor that the next iPhone won't have a camera!
But yeah, this has to be in the running for most-uninteresting article of the year.
And you never know what nugget of previously unknown actual information may shake out.