Apple is reportedly locking up sensors above 12MP for the cameras on the 2018 iPhone models

Apple is expected to raise the MP count for the cameras on its 2018 iPhone models. This is very much likely to occur following the report that the tech titan has booked all of the smartphone lens modules above 12MP that will be rolling off the assembly line at a new factory in Taiwan. The plant is owned by Largan Precision. Interestingly, Largan is allegedly the only company that makes modules for smartphone cameras above 12MP that can produce modules in the quantities that Apple requires.

Largan will be able to produce 600 million lens modules monthly at the new facility, which is six times the company's current production. The additional assembly lines reportedly go live starting next month, but the new production will be added gradually. Largan CEO Lin En-ping says that the new factory will be capable of producing modules with multiple lenses, cameras with large apertures for better quality photos taken in low-light conditions, and lenses that can handle 3D sensing for facial recognition.

The rear-facing camera on the Apple iPhone 7 weighs in at 12MP and the dual cameras on the back of the Apple iPhone 7 Plus both weigh in at 12MP. We expect to see something similar for the sequel models, the Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus. And it appears as though the dual camera setup for the iPhone X could keep the status quo when it comes to MP count.

If this story is legit, it would seem that Apple will take the snappers on the 2018 iPhone handsets above 12MP for the first time. First, before we start worrying about 2018, we still have to make it past this year's unveiling and that is only one week away!

source: Digitimes