Actually, it is not the sensor itself that is a problem, but rather
the lens optics on top of it. The publication claims that Samsung is
using a new, 6-elements lens, which has to fit in the same slim camera
module, as before. Molding the complex optics to be precisely centered,
however, turned out to be an issue. “On a thin lens, even the slightest flaw results in a considerable optical distortion,” advised one industry insider. “To make plastic lens thinner, a more accurate mold technology is necessary.”
Samsung apparently makes the mold internally, then sends it to lens
suppliers, which are more skilled in applying the injection technology,
and struggle with the required new level of precision. Full capacity
was allegedly expected to be reached last month, but the orders keep
getting delayed. The insiders revealed that current production yield of
the dreaded lens assembly, is only 20-30%. Obviously, Samsung has to
ramp this up significantly, if it wants to meet its own launch target
with the Galaxy S5.
During the official unveiling, the company said that its new flagship will be released on April 11th in more than 150 countries
worldwide. If camera troubles continue, though, some regions might have
to wait more than others, until Samsung straightens the production
capacity out. Samsung's supply chain engineers are said to all but sleep
in the lens assembly factories, so hopefully the yield issue will be
resolved on time.
source: ETNews
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