South Korean optical parts maker Optron-Tec has supplied the prism for the optical 5X zoom camera modules in the Galaxy S20 that Samsung Electronics is preparing to launch in March this year, according to industry sources on Jan. 16.
When Optron-Tec produces the prism, they are sent to another company, after which Samsung Electro-Mechanics assembles the camera modules to supply to Samsung Electronics’ mobile division.
In 2019, the Galaxy S10 and the iPhone 11 all used the optical 2X zoom camera. So the optical 5X zoom would set the Galaxy S20 apart as a flagship smartphone.
Optron-Tec is also looking to supply the parts to China, as well. The company has already supplied its prism to the Reno series produced by China’s Oppo. It is now aiming to supply prism to others such as Huawei and Vivo. Huawei first applied the optical 5X zoom to its P30 Pro it launched in 2019. “As both smartphone makers have said they would apply the 5X zoom camera, we are looking to provide to them as well,” said an Optron-Tec official.
For Vivo, Optron-Tec would supply the prism via Samsung SDI, as the firm is a member of the BBK Group. The firm would have to find a different channel for Huawei, since the Chinese tech giant is a rival of Samsung Electronics, and is unlikely to use the 5X zoom camera modules put together by Samsung SDI, market watchers pointed out.
Within South Korea, Actro is a firm that is posing as competition for Optron-Tec. Actro has begun supplying prism to the Galaxy S20 series, as well.
The Elec is South Korea’s No.1 tech news platform.
