TF Worldwide analyst Ming-Chi Kuo launched a brand new analysis word at the moment in regards to the hybrid glass-plastic lenses utilized by Apple on the iPhone 15 Professional Max and about for use by Huawei for one in every of its first 2024 flagship fashions, the P70 Artwork. The iPhone 15 Professional Max makes use of such a hybrid lens for the Tetraprism periscope digicam that delivers as much as 5x optical zoom. That lens is known as 1G3P which signifies that it’s made up of 1 half glass, and three components plastic.
Kuo says in his analysis word that the usage of glass-plastic hybrid lenses within the iPhone 15 Professional Max and Huawei P70 Artwork will result in some adjustments within the trade. Kuo sees this pattern resulting in the usage of molding/spherical glass in these hybrid lenses somewhat than lower-quality wafer-level glass. The analyst additionally sees 1G3P lenses as turning into extra aggressive to the 8P lenses which are made up of eight plastic lenses. The 1G3P lenses have the benefit of being decrease top and proceed to get extra aggressive with 8P on the subject of pricing.
Talking of pricing, the 1G3P hybrid lens utilized by Huawei prices $12 on the prototype stage. The analyst sees the worth dropping to $6-$7 in mass manufacturing as yield charges rise. Increased yields at Largan will even permit Apple so as to add the Tetraprism lens to the iPhone 16 Professional subsequent yr.
The Tetraprism digicam on the iPhone 15 Professional Max delivers as much as 5x optical zoom
The analyst additionally says that glass-plastic hybrid lenses will likely be higher in a position to repair lens deformation created by the design of compact digicam modules (CCM). Maybe a very powerful a part of Kuo’s word is that he sees extra high-end telephones utilizing glass-plastic hybrid lenses following the instance set by Apple and Huawei. Since Apple makes use of the iOS platform and Huawei has its personal HarmonyOS, Kuo have to be speaking in regards to the adoption of this optical tech by flagship and top-shelf Android telephones.
At the moment “Largan and Sunny Optical are the main producers of glass-plastic hybrid lenses” based on Kuo. Nevertheless, Largan has extra expertise on this market, and with its benefit in plastic lenses, Kuo offers the nod to Largen which he says “has a better benefit over Sunny Optical.”
