News

LG Preparing True Optical Zoom Lenses For Flagship Phones

LG Innotek, a subsidiary of the Korean electronics giant, has unveiled a new telephoto module with traditional camera optics.

Published

2 years ago

December 28, 2022

Nour Nasir

lg preparing true optical zoom lenses for flagship phones

LG may have thrown in the towel after the likes of Apple and Samsung began to dominate the smartphone market, however, the electronics powerhouse is still a major parts supplier to the entire tech industry.

One of the company’s subsidiary concerns, LG Innotek, supplies camera modules to well-known smartphone manufacturers, and has just announced a new telephoto zoom unit, which will be shown off at the upcoming CES 2023 event.

The company is teaming up with Qualcomm to fast-track the new optics alongside the roll-out of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip in upcoming Android flagship phones. While smartphones have typically employed digital zoom lenses that use software to reach beyond their default focal length, LG’s design uses moving arts — much like a DSLR— to preserve detail throughout the full range of the zoom.

The resulting lens covers a 4-9x zoom range, along with true optical image stabilization, and it’s hoped that manufacturers will eventually be able to manage with fewer lenses in their smartphones, replacing them with a single multi-use module.

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Sony is the only major manufacturer already offering a smartphone with an optical zoom so far, though Oppo is working on one too. Sony’s Xperia 1 IV doesn’t offer anything like LG’s telephoto range, though, and reviewers have noted that image quality isn’t quite as good as revival offerings.

In the company’s press release, LG Innotek is making a big deal about the new tech, saying that the camera module will help them “solidify the global No. 1 position in the smartphone camera module market.” LG is already in a solid position as we approach 2023, which is largely down to its biggest customer, Apple. The iPhone 15 is rumored to include a folded-optic telephoto lens, and LG looks likely to fit its new tech into a wide range of 2023 android flagship phones.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

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Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.