AI Applications Spur Growth, Smartphone Camera Lens Market Expected to Rebound

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TrendForce forecasts a rebound in the smartphone camera lens market in 2024, with a 3.8% growth spurred by AI-driven smartphone trends to reach approximately 4.22 billion units. Samsung’s AI-packed flagship—the S24 series—is set to capture a larger market share thanks to its advanced Generative AI applications. When it comes to camera specs, the phone is powered by the innovative ProVisual Engine algorithm, promises to revolutionize photo quality by individually optimizing objects within images, enhancing clarity, and significantly stabilizing images by reducing noise and shake.

TrendForce reports the market is moving toward a standard configuration of 49MP to 64MP for primary lenses and stabilizing at three lenses for rear setups. Hardware innovations like periscopic lens modules, hybrid glass-plastic lenses, and APO (Apochromatic) lenses are pushing the boundaries for color fidelity and imaging capabilities.

Camera spec upgrades continue to drive device upgrades among consumers, with brands increasingly focusing on enhancing the specs of high-end models. Interestingly, entry-level models are seeing selective upgrades, prioritizing the main lens’ resolution rather than the number of rear lenses. For example, Vivo’s Y200 smartphone features a 64MP main camera, whereas most brands have scaled down the camera specs for their entry-level models.

Following the successful launch of the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its exclusive Tetraprism telephoto zoom lens, the industry is expected to see an increase in the adoption of periscopic lens modules. Apple plans to bring this advanced hardware upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro, making it accessible to more users in the Pro series.

Despite the innovations, TrendForce notes that cost considerations will lead Android smartphone brands to segment their offerings based on price segments. Mid-range models will likely opt for cost-effective fixed-focus or single-fold periscope module solutions, while high-end models may go for a high-end clustering inner-focus module solution or more complex configurations, such as Oppo’s Find X7 Ultra, which was equipped with a dual periscope lens module.