Apple will release at least one iPhone model that will feature a triple-lens camera in 2019, wrote Deutsche Securities analyst Jialin Lu in a research note.

The 2019 iPhone will not be the first triple-lens camera phone though, as the popular Huawei P20 Pro holds that distinction. Apple, however, will be looking to further improve the feature.

Apple To Launch iPhone With Triple-Lens Camera Next Year

Apple will introduce a triple-lens camera in at least one of its iPhones next year, reported Economic Daily News, citing the research note by analyst Jialin Lu.

According to Lu, the camera with three lenses will give the 2019 iPhone advanced 3D sensing through stereoscopic vision, with two lenses capturing an image from varying angles. The iPhone will then use triangulation software to determine the distance of the object.

The report suggested that the advanced 3D sensing technology will support augmented reality. It will function like the TrueDepth system found on the iPhone X, which is the technology that enables the Face ID feature.

Lu also expects the third of the iPhone camera lenses to offer a longer focal length, which will enhance the zoom capabilities of the smartphone's rear camera. The 2019 iPhone model may be the first one with 3x optical zoom, allowing users to zoom without experiencing a significant loss in the quality of the image. In comparison, the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X only offer a maximum of 2x optical zoom.

The Rise Of Triple-Lens Camera Phones

The Huawei P20 Pro took the top spot in the DxOMark rankings as the smartphone with the best camera. The triple-lens camera phone scored 109 points, compared to 102 points for the Huawei P20 and 99 points for the former champion, the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

The triple-lens camera is a major part of the success of the Huawei P20 Pro, so Apple fans should be excited for what it will do with the feature. There will be a bit of a wait though, as the company is still focused on this year's iPhone models.

Apple will continue its focus on augmented reality, which CEO Tim Cook previously said is a big part of the company's future. According to a recent report, Apple is planning to launch a standalone wireless headset that combines augmented reality and virtual reality in 2020.

A triple-lens camera iPhone, if it indeed launches in 2019, will only further push Apple's investment in augmented reality technology, and set the stage for the Apple VR/AR headset.