Apple is reportedly expanding its in-house design efforts to include camera sensors for iPhones. For more than a decade, the Cupertino based giant has been using Sony‘s image sensors in their iPhones and iPads. However, now they are reportedly going for an even tighter integration between its camera hardware and software by manufacturing the image sensors in-house.
According to reliable insider information from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s quest for perfect harmony between hardware and software will extend to various components beyond its well-known ‘A’ series and ‘M’ series processors and it will reportedly include camera sensors.
Tech giant aims for total control over hardware components
The photo and video capabilities in smartphones, including iPhones, have become major differentiators between successive generations in recent years. Observing the camera improvements in various scenarios within the Android space, it’s evident that Apple no longer holds a distinct lead in imaging.
However, with Apple’s demonstrated ability to elevate performance using its own hardware, it won’t be a surprise if the company takes back the lead by moving the camera design and manufacturing in-house.
Additionally, the importance of advanced camera technology for Apple goes beyond camera sensors for iPhones and extends to upcoming applications like mixed-reality devices and autonomous driving systems, points out Mark Gurman.
Some more beyond camera sensors
Camera sensors are not the sole focus of Apple’s in-house endeavors though. Gurman reveals that Apple is also working on bringing several other components under its umbrella, including a cellular modem, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, microLED displays, a non-invasive glucose monitoring system for the Apple Watch, and batteries. Apple’s long-term strategy involves gaining control over the entire hardware ecosystem.
While Apple continues to push boundaries in photography, as evident in the recently launched iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, competition remains fierce. Rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra from earlier this year or the newly released Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are known for their excellent cameras. Apple’s move to design more hardware components in-house reflects its commitment to achieving greater control over the entire user experience.
2023-11-25 15:05:49