Add an autofocus front camera to the list of improvements expected for the iPhone 14 when it debuts this autumn. This supposedly tripled Apple’s cost for the component.
If the unconfirmed report is true, the upcoming model will be the first iPhone with an auto-focus selfie camera.
Noticeable upgrade coming to the iPhone 14 selfie cam
An autofocus camera moves the lens when taking images to focus only on what’s important. This type of camera is better at close-up images than a fixed-focus one, and better at putting the subject of an image in focus while blurring the background.
This is not a new type of camera, but Apple has been satisfied with a low-end selfie camera earlier iPhone models. Apparently, not any more.
The 2022 handset will have a front-facing camera made by Korea’s LG Innotek and Sharp in Japan after quality problems in cameras made by Chinese manufacturers, according to ET News.
This is in-line with an earlier prediction from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Autofocus selfie cam beats fixed-focus cam
The news might leave some people scratching their heads: they don’t have to focus the iPhone front-facing camera now – isn’t that autofocus? No, because the current camera is fixed-focus. That puts everything in focus (as long as it’s not too close to the camera). This is a cheap but limited solution.
If Kuo is correct, all four of the iPhone 14 models will have an AF front camera. This will make the camera better for Portrait mode. “AF can also enhance the focus effect for FaceTime/video call/live streaming,” notes the analyst.
However, there have been no rumors that Apple will add Center Stage support to iPhone. This lets the front-facing camera follow someone on a video call, but requires a wide-angle lens. Currently, the feature is restricted to the iPad line and the Apple Studio Display.
The iPhone 14 is expected to launch in September, 2022. It will resemble the iPhone 13, but with a number of changes. Apple is supposed to replace the screen notch with a double hole-punch design in the iPhone 14 Pro models. The Pro models allegedly will come with a 48MP camera, too.
Via: AppleInsider
