Apple taps new suppliers for iPhone 15 Pro Max's periscope camera

For months now there have been reports that Apple is working on equipping the iPhone 15 Pro Max (and only the Pro Max) with a periscope lens. However, it seems that its current suppliers weren’t up to the task, so Cupertino had to find new partners.

According to The Elec, Apple will source OIS actuators for the periscope module from LG Innotek and Jahwa Electronics, the two companies will supply 70% and 30% of the components, respectively.

Jahwa has been working with Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electro-Mechanics on actuators based on ball guides. The company will reportedly supply Samsung with components for the upcoming Galaxy S23 series as well as the Galaxy A54, which leaked last week.

Apple’s current suppliers – Alps Alpine and Mizumi – deliver spring-type actuators for the iPhone cameras. However, the ball guide actuators are faster, more accurate and use less power, which is why Apple is making the switch.

Both LG Innotek and Jahwa Electronics have made significant investments in their camera components facilities. These actuators will reportedly prove quite lucrative for the two companies.

Apple’s first periscope lens will arrive later this year with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Fans of the smaller Pro will have to wait until next year and the iPhone 16 series to get the longer zoom. The new vanilla iPhone models are looking at digital zoom by switching to 48MP main cameras, finally leaving the 12MP sensors in the past.

Source (in Korean) | Via