Analyst: iPhones will get three cameras and improved front camera this year jaar

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, at least two iPhones will have three rear cameras this year. The third camera would have a wide-angle lens. He also expects better front cameras.

The two models that will get three cameras are probably the successors of the iPhone XS and XS Max. These will have a 5.8″ and 6.5″ OLED screen respectively. A third model with 6.1″ LCD, the presumed successor to the iPhone XR, would get two cameras on the back. That is one more than on the current model. AppleInsider has put a table online containing the details provided by the analyst. Ming-Chi Kuo has close ties with parts suppliers and regularly provides accurate information about new Apple products.

For the iPhones with an OLED screen, Apple would use a Sony camera module with a wide-angle lens that has an angle of view of 120 or 130 degrees. The module would have a 12-megapixel resolution and would not have autofocus. Autofocus is not essential with ultra-wide angle cameras because the depth of field is so great that almost everything in the frame is always in focus. Apple would use a new black coating to make the camera ‘unobtrusive’.

If the information is correct, Apple will follow, among others, Samsung and Huawei, who have also added a third camera with wide-angle lens to their top models. The Samsung S10 series also has no autofocus, the Huawei P30 Pro does. LG was one of the first manufacturers to put an ultra-wide-angle lens on its devices, but as a second camera instead of a third.

All three 2019 iPhones would have a 12-megapixel front camera with a five-element lens. Last year’s three iPhones have a 7-megapixel sensor with a lens made up of four elements. The angle of view of the new camera would not change.

Kuo also thinks that the iPhone XR successor will get more RAM. The new model would have 4GB instead of 3GB on board. According to the analyst, all new devices will retain the Lightning connection and the notch in the screen would not disappear either, because space is needed for the TrueDepth camera on the front.