Mincgchi Kuo with KGI believes Apple could equip its next-gen handset with a forward-facing camera supporting HD resolution. He also expects the company to use a flip-chip solution for the iPhone 5 front-facing camera, which will be reportedly placed in the middle of the device.
The analyst pointed out that an HD-capable front camera would better fit into a 4-inch handset. The sixth-generation iPhone has been repeatedly said to feature exactly the same screen size. Currently, the iPhone 4S forward-facing camera is VGA-compatible.
The upcoming device is anticipated to retain the existing 8Mpx camera, while bumping the aperture range to f/2.2. The maximum aperture on the iPhone 4S is f/2.4. Kuo also predicts Apple will make the iPhone 5 rear camera noticeably thinner.
On the analyst’s opinion, the rear camera on the new iPhone will have a lens TTL of 4mm and a CMM of 5.55mm, down from 4.8mm and 6mm on the current model. Drastic changes in the iPhone design are expected to create unprecedented difficulties in rear camera production.
In April, Kuo released a report arguing that Apple will reduce the iPhone size down to 7.9mm or less. The latest handset has a depth of 9.3mm. However, the company is thought to cut up to 0.4mm off the device by adopting in-cell touchscreen technology.
Sony, a CMOS supplier for the iPhone 4S, revealed in January that it has designed a slimmer next-gen CMOS. Last month, purported camera components for the sixth iPhone surfaced online. If authentic, the parts would point to a potential camera redesign for the iPhone 5.
The new handset is widely believed to hit the market either in September or October. The device will supposedly sport a new form factor and LTE connectivity.
