The next iPhone might feature a dual LED flash

At this point it is pretty clear that the next iPhone will have an upgraded camera. The rumor for an 8MP iPhone shooter started in April last year way before the iPhone 4 was introduced with its 5MP one, and has kept steady since then, with the only variable being the supplier of the camera sensor.

Last summer it was Sony, possibly with its 8MP Exmor R sensor, but the latest rumor pegged the majority supplier to be good ol' OmniVision, which makes the current 5MP sensor, with Sony scooping up just 10% of the orders. Does that mean we will have two versions like it's rumored - one with Sprint's frequencies, and one with AT&T and Verizon basebands, is anyone's guess.

Nothing was said about a flash upgrade, though, until now, when rumors surfaced that Apple is switching from Philips's Lumileds LED flash to dual LED modules by Taiwanese component suppliers. The ones most likely to be on tap for the LED flash orders are Everlight Electronics, Edison Opto or Lite-On. All three companies are shipping such products to the supply chains of major handset manufacturers, but Edison Opto seems to be the most likely pick, as a traditional maker of high-power LEDs.

So an 8MP sensor with enhanced low-light capabilities via sensor backlighting and dual LED flash to help illuminate darker scenes might be the dynamic camera duo in the next iPhone. Hopefully we'll know more come late summer or September.

source: Digitimes via Electronista