VCM (voice coil motor), used to drive camera lens modules, is expected to see demand for smartphone applications stay flat in 2022, with the prospect that suppliers will focus more on spec upgrades for the component, according to industry sources.
VCM components for iPhone camera lens modules reportedly will use 1-2 brand-new plastics materials and see upgrades in coil winding specs, whether they are used in front ToFLiDAR or rear camera lens modules, the sources said.
Taiwan suppliers of VCM and other components for iPhones have reiterated that they haven’t received any notification from Apple about cutting orders as speculated by market sources, expecting off-season shipments not to come until April-May this year.
Smartphones with three cameras will continue to be mainstream models as four-camera ones are not gaining traction among consumers; this situation will support fundamental demand for VCM and CMOS image sensors for handset cameras in 2022, the industry sources said.
The sources also noted that China-based VCM maker Zhonglan Electronic Technology is emerging as a strong competitor for its Taiwan peers in winning orders for Android smartphones, given that it has landed substantial orders from Chinese vendors Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei.
Source: https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20220114PD207/camera-demand-handset-mobile-devices.html