According to TrendForce Research, Apple is gearing up for the highly anticipated launch of its iPhone 15 series, featuring a lavish array of upgrades to its camera module—the quintessential lure for consumer upgrades.

TrendForce reports that the upcoming iPhone 15 series is poised to make several key upgrades with the star of the show will being the camera upgrades—a pivotal factor that could tip the scales for potential buyers.

The first is that both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will boast Sony’s 2-Layer (Photodiode + Pixel) Transistor Pixel, designed to extend the dynamic range of imaging. It could dramatically elevate photos from great to breathtaking.

The second is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be equipped with a Periscope Lens Module that can increase the device’s optical zoom capabilities.

AI to Smash Through Hardware Barriers  

Going forward, TrendForce asserts that the smartphone CIS landscape isn’t likely to become a never-ending pixel-size arms race. Why? The average user simply can’t tell the difference between a 108 MP and a 200 MP camera. Adding more pixels also requires a larger sensor that results in a heftier device, flying in the face of the consumer’s relentless quest for lighter, sleeker phones.

Consequently, TrendForce anticipates that the future’s next big leap will pivot toward fine-tuning CIS structural designs—like the cutting-edge dual-layer transistor pixel architecture soon to be showcased in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.

By ingeniously re-engineering the structure and materials of the photodetectors, the industry can push sensor performance to new heights. But the innovation doesn’t stop there: next-gen image processing algorithms, supercharged by AI, are poised to smash through hardware barriers. This transformative tech is geared to amplify image clarity, expand dynamic range, and minimize noise, thereby elevating photographic brilliance to a whole new level. 

For more, read the full TrendForce report.