Huawei is taking mobile phone cameras to the next level with its development of 10 size adjustable aperture technology which uses six blades to give users precise control over the amount of light passing through the lens. This allows users to manipulate the depth of field and bokeh —the effect of a soft, out-of-focus background — when taking night-view, portrait and landscape photos.
The aperture technology allows the capabilities of an SLR lens, typically the size of an apple, to fit into a phone camera lens the size of a blueberry. With the new camera, users can physically adjust the aperture of their phone camera between 10 sizes, from F1.4 to F4.0. The state-of-the-art aperture gives the phone more comprehensive imaging capabilities, while ensuring compactness and portability.
Watch the video below to learn more about how Huawei works with partners to develop solutions that meet industry needs, discover how the company’s engineers developed the camera, and how the advancements in aperture technology will enrich application scenarios for improved imaging capabilities.
Q: So, tell me a little bit about yourself.
Li Zhang Cheng: I'm Li Zhangcheng. I studied macromolecules, and have worked at Huawei as a camera imaging engineer for eight years.
Q: So can you tell me why you focused on this variable aperture technology?
Li Zhang Cheng: Variable aperture represents technical guidance in our long-term planning. As consumers have higher requirements on image quality, increasing our CMOS size is essential. Variable aperture is necessary to enrich our application scenarios for improved imaging capabilities. So, we started this research at the end of 2018, and brought products to consumers in 2022. This is the result of well-planned, long-term evolution.
Q: And what do you think the main value is that it brings to the consumers?
Li Zhang Cheng: It can bring consumers huge, profound change compared to fixed aperture. A fixed F1.4 wide aperture overexposes images in well-lit environments. This causes a series of problems. But F1.4 performs well at night, capturing Super Night photos. Here is where the variable aperture technology comes in, and changes in aperture are made visible, from narrow to wide, and wide to narrow. F2.0 is used for daily photo taking since it is sufficient there. And the camera can be adjusted to F4.0 to produce stunning pictures in bright environments by expanding the depth of field.
Q: And this is a very new technology. And along the way, along the road of development, there must have been some issues and problems. Tell me a little bit about the problems that you had to overcome.
Li Zhang Cheng: The challenge was realizing mass production and bringing it to consumers. We tried dozens of materials. Ae made many demos over a three month period. Huge efforts were made to realize an exquisite appearance that consumers could truly perceive.
Q: And was there any time where you thought you were not going to be able to do it?
Li Zhang Cheng: During development, my weight dropped from 165 pounds straight to 132 pounds, and I got IBS. I called my manager. I said. “I feel terrible. I can't continue.” My manager said. “OK, take some time to rest.” During a two-day break, my thoughts were occupied. Because still I hadn't finished. So I went back.
Q: What was the best moment? What was your proudest moment?
Li Zhang Cheng: The moment I knew we had served our consumers, when we deliver them something that had started in the lab. This is something to be proud of. We always remain united as a team, in both the good times and the bad. Eventually, other members of our team came to support us. For example, we're from Development Department, but people from Testing Department, Quality Management Department, even Procurement Department, all came to help us. We only have one goal: to succeed.
Q: Okay. So now this technology is out there. You have this launched into the market. What impact do you think it'll have on people who use the handset?
Li Zhang Cheng: To be honest, it is a remarkably fast process for a new technology to go from being a source of wonder to an integral part of daily life. I think the change we've brought to people pushes their pursuit of excellent photos another step forward. And people will get used to this higher image quality, which already means a lot to us.
Q: What advice would you have for younger people who are thinking of entering this technology field?
Li Zhang Cheng: You can make it. Effort pays off. You truly bring value to others. I think these three points form a positive cycle. Each point is crucial. If you keep a positive mindset, you can change the world. So positive values and good mindsets are crucial to your long-term development and a prosperous life.