14 DAY TRIAL // A new report claims the Apple iPhone 5 will come equipped with not one, but two LED flashes, but the people who claim to have learned of this development fail to provide any specifics, such as where the second flash would be placed on Apple’s next-generation iPhone.
Industry publication DigiTimes cites recent market rumors as indicative of Apple's iPhone 5 bearing a dual-LED flash with Taiwan-based LED packaging firms Everlight Electronics, Edison Opto and Lite-On Technology being named as potential suppliers.
Sources speaking to the Taiwanese site claim that all related companies have denied their involvement in the production of dual-LED flashes, but the rumors come in light of market reports that say Apple has reduced its orders for Lumileds high-power LED flashes from Philips recently.
Apple has reportedly switched its orders to Taiwan makers, one of which may well be Edison, a manufacturer specialized in the production of high-power LEDs.
Edison is reportedly already shipping its LED flash units to “branded handset vendors” and is believed to stand a good chance of entering Apple’s scope, according to sources with ties in the industry.
Whether it’s the iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S, many reports have indicated that Apple’s next smartphone will at least have a relocated LED flash unit to avoid washed out stills, and perhaps a better video recording experience as well.
Now that Apple is said to be adding a second flash on its next phone, we can’t help but speculate that it will be placed on the front of the device, under the seamless glass covering the phone’s display (much like the proximity sensor).
The possibility of Apple featuring two LEDs on the back of the phone, both with the purpose of creating good lighting conditions for photos and video, is almost null.