50%
Plausible
Apple currently employs “Flip-Chip” technology in its iPhone’s ultrawide-angle cameras, which, as the name suggests, flips the sensor so that its electrical contacts face the device’s logic board directly. While the benefit of this approach is that it allows Apple to make its devices thinner, it’s extremely difficult to manage proper heat transfer, which is why ultrawide-angle cameras are typically inferior to their wide-angle counterparts.
However, an analyst predicts that the iPhone 21, which will succeed Apple’s 20th-anniversary model, is said to adopt a new technology that should potentially eliminate the heat problem for these ultrawide-angle sensors, enabling the company to introduce those high-resolution 200MP units, not to mention finally gravitating towards bringing 8K video recording.
Apple is reportedly exploring COB (Chip On Board) technology for the iPhone 21, allowing for a sensor that’s better cooled, has improved optical precision, and other benefits
Instead of incorporating current-generation sensors that are mounted face down, COB technology involves placing the iPhone 21’s ultrawide-angle cameras face up. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made several predictions surrounding various Apple products in his new post, but the interesting bit about COB that’s targeted for a 2028 launch is that instead of solder bumps underneath, the technology relies on wire bonding.
This specific change allows for precise optical alignment. Perhaps the biggest improvement that’s catered to the end user is that COB helps dissipate heat better. Using Flip-Chip technology for its current devices might be why Apple continues to utilize 48MP cameras instead of jumping to 200MP units, as its sensors can overheat using the current configuration.
The Cupertino firm is rumored to be testing 200MP cameras, and moving to COB could finally enable the company to make the switch. With the overheating problem resolved, the iPhone 21 could move to 8K video recording, bringing proper cinema-level videography capabilities to mobile devices.
Kuo mentions that Sunny Optical is well-positioned to become a supplier for the new cameras, but he doesn’t specifically mention that the advantages of COB could encourage Apple to bring 200MP cameras and 8K video recording. Then again, why else would the technology giant go through all this trouble and not introduce some meaningful upgrades?
News Source: Ming-Chi Kuo
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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