Apple is believed to have struck a deal with South Korean firm Jahwa Electronics to produce 191 billion won ($155 million) worth of telephoto lens components for a periscope camera system in next-gen iPhones.
The updated camera is expected to feature new optical image stabilization (OIS) actuators.
Apple apparently toured Jahwa Electronics’ new facilities in the first half of 2021 and it seems “likely” that Jahwa will begin supplying Apple with OIS actuators from next year.
Apple usually asks suppliers to build production lines exclusively for its own parts and components, but the new facilities set to be built in Gumi would require Apple’s approval once they’re finished, and the whole process would take a year from now to conclude.
Rumors as to the next-gen iPhone receiving a periscope lens have been circulating since early 2020.
In a periscope system, light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera’s image sensor. The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer “folded” telephoto setup inside phones, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.