Although dual-camera setups are not entirely new in the mobile world, all evidence so far indicates that this type of camera configuration will play a big role in the development of future smartphones, and will become increasingly popular in the coming quarters. In light of these developments, it appears that two of the largest dual-camera suppliers in the world – LG Innotek and Samsung Electro-Mechanics – are gearing up for the high demand.
Earlier this year LG Electronics entered the dual-camera race with its LG G5 flagship which adopted a dual-camera setup for the first time in the G-series’ existence. But looking forward into the foreseeable future, Apple is expected to jump on the dual-camera bandwagon with the upcoming iPhone 7, and according to recent reports, LG Innotek will be responsible for supplying its dual-camera sensors to the Cupertino giant. Reportedly, LG Innotek recently decided to build a new camera module factory in Vietnam, assuring that it will be able to withstand the potentially high demand for the iPhone 7. According to SK Securities analyst Park Hyoung-woo, “LG Innotek is expected to supply 31.2 million dual-camera modules in the latter half of this year”. He also added that “profits from dual-camera modules are more than double” compared to single-camera modules.
On the other hand, although Samsung has yet to adopt a dual-camera setup for its existing smartphone models, it’s likely that the Samsung Galaxy S8 expected to debut early next year will accommodate two cameras on its back panel. Furthermore, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is expected to ramp up the production of dual-camera sensors, not only for its own flagship but also to supply the technology to Chinese smartphone makers in late-2016. As yet there’s no word on whether or not Samsung will also supply its dual-camera modules to Apple along with LG Innotek, but according to Lee Soo-hak – analyst at Hanwha Investment and Securities – “dual cameras will make up almost one-third of the company’s [Samsung Electro-Mechanics] total sales next year”. All in all, it looks like dual-camera technology will become widely used by the next generation of flagship phones, and this appears to benefit both Korean tech giants.