While Apple revealed subtle details regarding the display and the processor powering their iPhones, not much was known about the camera modules so far; especially the source of the sensor. Now it seems that the dual camera module of the iPhone 7 Plus have been supplied by none other than LG Innotek, the hardware wing of LG Electronics. The Korean electronics vendor is known for supplying camera modules to various OEMs worldwide, but none would have expected them to grab the iPhone deal. Just in case you are unaware, the Apple iPhone 7 Plus uses a dual camera setup with a 12MP f/1.8 wide angle lens mated with another 12MP f/2.8 lens. This is clubbed with OIS and Laser Autofocus. But what differentiates the dual 12MP LG supplied camera module over its competitors is the presence of a 2X optical zoom. This is the result of using two different lenses in the camera module. While one of the 12MP sensors uses a 28mm lens the other uses a 56mm lens. Rather, this is one of the first implementations of such a camera module in a smartphone. Kevin Lee, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, said, “LG Innotek will stand to benefit from the new iPhone introduction, as the firm is the only vendor for the highly profitable dual-camera modules,” “Global sales for the new iPhone series is estimated to reach some 62 million this year, up 21 percent from its predecessors ― iPhone 6S and 6S Plus,” he added. The supplier of the camera module, LG Innotek apparently suffered an operating loss of $30.98 million in the second quarter of 2016 due to a weak demand for components resulting from a global slowdown of smartphones sales. The iPhone 7 Plus deal however may turn fortunes for the company.
