Everything You Need to Know About the iPhone 15 Camera Specifications

[TL24]

The world's most advanced OS? Sorry but that just isn't remotely true anymore. I was a long-time Android user who switched to a 14PM for the last year. I also ran the iOS 17 beta (along with the watch os10 on my Apple watch). Sorry but Apple is behind Android in a lot of ways, and the gap for "bugs" is now pretty slim too. I've switched back to Android for several key reasons (terrible notification management and dated e-mail/calendar functionality to name a few). Unless you are all-in with several Apple devices, Android provides a cleaner and more user-friendly OS. And before anyone chimes in on privacy, I have some bad news for you all - Apple is just as guilty as Google for collecting/mismanaging your data. All big tech companies do it, just the price you pay for so many "free" services. Anyway, rant over. Use what you like, but calling iOS more advanced than Android just isn't even close to true.

Sssshhhh, this is MacRumors. The fanboys hate when truth is spoken 😂

iOS is stale and boring. Is it stable? 98% of the time yes, it’s reliable and that’s what you want majority of the time.

But as a whole package to make your life easier? It’s far behind Android and it ain’t even funny anymore.

Seeing how the Pixel 8 Pro will have a flat display I’m going to jump ship. As much as I’ll miss iMessage, FaceTime, Find My and other Apple only apps I’ll be alright.

As I’ve said, Apple is a gen or two behind Google when it comes to computational photography. It’s still the best at taking videos but Google is improving and it’s only a matter of time before they catch up.

 

[roland.g]

The world's most advanced OS? Sorry but that just isn't remotely true anymore. I was a long-time Android user who switched to a 14PM for the last year. I also ran the iOS 17 beta (along with the watch os10 on my Apple watch). Sorry but Apple is behind Android in a lot of ways, and the gap for "bugs" is now pretty slim too. I've switched back to Android for several key reasons (terrible notification management and dated e-mail/calendar functionality to name a few). Unless you are all-in with several Apple devices, Android provides a cleaner and more user-friendly OS. And before anyone chimes in on privacy, I have some bad news for you all - Apple is just as guilty as Google for collecting/mismanaging your data. All big tech companies do it, just the price you pay for so many "free" services. Anyway, rant over. Use what you like, but calling iOS more advanced than Android just isn't even close to true.

The problem with that argument from either side, is what metrics or viewpoints are you using to define and then evaluate "Advanced". That term carries pitfalls with it when you try to argue anything with that term without establishing and quantifying the application of "advanced".

 

[dalestrauss]

I think the point people are making is that Apple would need to at least match the 10x optical zoom of Samsung for the increased price they likely want to charge for the 15 Pro Max. But what people forget is that Optical zoom isn't always better if the lens is garbage and periscope lenses wouldn't be your first lens choice if your main goal is image quality.

Of course a periscope lens would not be anyone's "first choice" both for the optics and light loss, BUT we are talking about smartphones here, not DSLR, and this is the best you can do within the physical constraints of the device. I want the best "possible" device in my pocket.

15 ProMax is rumored to be optical, and between 5x and 10x - even if it is 5x or 6x, if it is optical, that's vastly better than what Samsung offers

First, let's dispense with the term "zoom" in these discussions - the lenses are fixed focal length telephoto, they do not optically zoom within a focal length range. IF Apple has managed to come up with a truly optical 5x to 10x optical zoom, they will OWN the smartphone photography market. That aside, how can you proclaim that the lesser 5x or 6x optical telephoto on an iPhone is "vastly better than what Samsung offers." Last I looked, 10x magnification is superior to 6x unless the lenses used are inferior, and how could you know that?

 

[jz0309]

Of course a periscope lens would not be anyone's "first choice" both for the optics and light loss, BUT we are talking about smartphones here, not DSLR, and this is the best you can do within the physical constraints of the device. I want the best "possible" device in my pocket.



First, let's dispense with the term "zoom" in these discussions - the lenses are fixed focal length telephoto, they do not optically zoom within a focal length range. IF Apple has managed to come up with a truly optical 5x to 10x optical zoom, they will OWN the smartphone photography market. That aside, how can you proclaim that the lesser 5x or 6x optical telephoto on an iPhone is "vastly better than what Samsung offers." Last I looked, 10x magnification is superior to 6x unless the lenses used are inferior, and how could you know that?

you missed part of the conversation - my point all along has been that todays lenses are all fixed focal length and zoom in-between is digital.
The rumor about the 15PM periscope lens is that it is OPTICAL and I've been questioning that all along, but we'll find out next week.

There is a Sony smartphone that does indeed have optical zoom, can't remember the model number and someone else said that an Opportunity model does it.

So IF the 15PM will have indeed OPTICAL zoom - that will be HUGE!!

 

[mc.242x]

The problem with that argument from either side, is what metrics or viewpoints are you using to define and then evaluate "Advanced". That term carries pitfalls with it when you try to argue anything with that term without establishing and quantifying the application of "advan

Sssshhhh, this is MacRumors. The fanboys hate when truth is spoken 😂

iOS is stale and boring. Is it stable? 98% of the time yes, it’s reliable and that’s what you want majority of the time.

But as a whole package to make your life easier? It’s far behind Android and it ain’t even funny anymore.

Seeing how the Pixel 8 Pro will have a flat display I’m going to jump ship. As much as I’ll miss iMessage, FaceTime, Find My and other Apple only apps I’ll be alright.

As I’ve said, Apple is a gen or two behind Google when it comes to computational photography. It’s still the best at taking videos but Google is improving and it’s only a matter of time before they catch up.

FYI - check out Beeper for unified messaging. It's a new service with a waitlist, but looks promising for Android outcasts with iMessage snobs for friends. Run by the old Pebble guys. I still miss my Pebble watches....

 

[wikiverse]

3x and 10x are different lenses, static focal length, in photography zooming is between 3x and 10x and you admit that it's digital. true optical zoom is rumored for 15PM ...
My 100-400mm lens on my DSLR offers optical zoom between those focal lengths ... my 13PM has 1x and 3x, and digital inbetween

If I frame up a shot on my phone, and I cannot get closer to the subject but I want a closer shot, and I hit a button in the camera app that says 3x or another that says 10x, what am I doing with my shot? Will the image that I take require any digital zooming?

 

[Elohim369]

You don‘t understand. No Samsung phone has real optical zoom. I really hope the Pro Max will. Otherwise, yeah, I‘ll be disappointed.

But it does. 10x optical zoom. 100x digital zoom. What's the problem with this?

Update: Oh I get it now it's the difference between zoom and tele lens.

Which explains why Samsung has both 3x and 10x tele lenses.

I would argue the difference is irrelevant to consumers especially given that phones have multiple lenses and can interfere and basically use all lenses simultaneously to create the final image.

A periscope camera may actually have real zoom, but I can also imagine many more appropriate and creative solutions to have more tele lens options. I don't think the ability to smoothly switch between the different zoom levels is all that important given the overall quality of the sensors and the ability to interpolate the pixels from multiple lenses, there's so much a CPU can do, especially that AI chip.

 

[jz0309]

If I frame up a shot on my phone, and I cannot get closer to the subject but I want a closer shot, and I hit a button in the camera app that says 3x or another that says 10x, what am I doing with my shot? Will the image that I take require any digital zooming?

what if the best framing for that shot would require 6x? since there is no optical zoom, you're only choice is digital, and that decreases image quality ...

 

[Bananasaurus]

True but the problem is they are not running the World’s Most Advanced Operating System. iOS ✅

I rather enjoy having a phone that doesn't require an anti-virus. Android is so fragmented I can't imagine ever going back to it. The novelty wears off REAL fast and then I always come back to the realization that I just want my phone to work so I can get things done. Also, Android phones have yet to even remotely compare to the video taking capabilities of the iPhone. And I take a LOT of videos. And then mix in how well all of Apple's things work together and it's an ecosystem I have no desire to ever leave again. Apple has their ecosystem on lockdown.

 

[slyronit]

Are you sure this is everything? Confident?

 

[SMH4KIDIOT]

so when you digitally (crop or hybrid per your above) zoom, you are losing image quality as your now zoomed image is artificially enlarged to the original size your sensor supports, with optical zoom that doesn't happen.
Can we agree on that?

No one is arguing that optical zoom isn't better than digital zoom that is why cellphones provide multiple lens to use to zoom closer to a subject. The iPhone 14 pro provide the equivalent of.

13mm at 0.5x with ultra wide lens

24mm at 1x with main lens

48mm at 2x crop from main lens

77mm at 3x with telephoto lens.

You can interpolate beyond those and still get decent quality photo out.

For you and many others that might be ok and sufficient, for me it is not. True optical zoom with the rumored 15ProMax for me would be the only feature to upgrade, so call me pedantic, that's fine. I have my needs, you have yours.

That is also where computational photography and using higher resolution sensors to crop from comes into play. You are not losing image quality with a crop from a higher resolution sensor. From the 24mm main 48MP lens, you can crop to 48mm 12MP

I don't know anyone who would argue that this is a terrible quality photo which is a 48mm crop of the main lens.

 

[jz0309]

No one is arguing that optical zoom isn't better than digital zoom that is why cellphones provide multiple lens to use to zoom closer to a subject. The iPhone 14 pro provide the equivalent of.

13mm at 0.5x with ultra wide lens

24mm at 1x with main lens

48mm at 2x crop from main lens

77mm at 3x with telephoto lens.

You can interpolate beyond those and still get decent quality photo out.

That is also where computational photography and using higher resolution sensors to crop from comes into play. You are not losing image quality with a crop from a higher resolution sensor. From the 24mm main 48MP lens, you can crop to 48mm 12MP

I don't know anyone who would argue that this is a terrible quality photo which is a 48mm crop of the main lens.

I don't know why you keep trying to argue with me, you're even quoting my post:
For you and many others that might be ok and sufficient, for me it is not. True optical zoom with the rumored 15ProMax for me would be the only feature to upgrade, so call me pedantic, that's fine. I have my needs, you have yours.

Again, optical zoom is the only feature that will make me upgrade to the 15PM. if it doesn't offer that, I'll happily continue to use my 13PM

 

[Pandyone]

Right. And this is exactly why these lenses should not be called „zoom“, but „tele“. A real zoom has optical magnification along a range of focal lengths, i.e. a 3x-6x zoom will be optical at 3x as well as 3.5x, 4.8x and 6x, and all numbers inbetween.

Wrong. There is a Sony phone (as well as an Oppo one) with real optical zoom.

Xperia 1V specs

True, but a real zoom is with the same sensor.
With “fake zoom” you still only open one camera app and get the zoom options right there.
I guess the marketing Apple and other manufacturers should go for is “sensor switches, with variable photo quality”. But that would probably not work so well.

I had missed that Sony actually has a model with that. But the optics seems to crammed in there, reviewers says the true zoom is too soft. Too much optics in a small space I guess

 

[the future]

I had missed that Sony actually has a model with that. But the optics seems to crammed in there, reviewers says the true zoom is too soft. Too much optics in a small space I guess

That‘s why Apple needs to show them how it‘s done. Or so I hope … 😉

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

While im excited for the new periscope camera, i really hope Apple continues improving on the Ultra Wide. The ultrawide has quickly become one of my favorite lenses to use due to its crazy looking results. Im currently on the 13 Pro Max and unfortunately it falls apart in lower lighting compared to the main lens. I know the 14 Pro Max has a better one than my 13PM but continued improvement is always welcome.

 

[Bananasaurus]

Again, optical zoom is the only feature that will make me upgrade to the 15PM. if it doesn't offer that, I'll happily continue to use my 13PM

Optical zoom is extremely needed at this point.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

A cursed iPhone 15 Pro Max Periscope Camera. 🤨

Credit: Apple Basic Guy

 

[Bananasaurus]

A cursed iPhone 15 Pro Max Periscope Camera. 🤨

View attachment 2256946
Credit: Apple Basic Guy

300x optical zoom.

 

[solq]

A cursed iPhone 15 Pro Max Periscope Camera. 🤨

View attachment 2256946
Credit: Apple Basic Guy

Careful, that level of zoom can poke the subject in the eye.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Generation after generation…

The iPhone 11 Pro Max looks like a toy phone next to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, just because of the small-looking camera array.

 

[redbeard331]

Generation after generation…

The iPhone 11 Pro Max looks like a toy phone next to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, just because of the small-looking camera array.

View attachment 2258425

This was the year I was hoping they’d have finally redesigned the camera lens array. Many Android phones have symmetrical lens “bumps” on the rear so they don’t rock when laying flat on a table.

 

[xiacexi]

The fact they aren’t using the 903 sensor like earlier rumored and are using the same sensor is really disappointing.

 

[AudriusN]

well, the Samsung S23 Ultra does NOT have OPTICAL ZOOM, its digital, it's fixed focal length

from Samsungs website:
Optical Zoom at 3x and 10x, Digital Zoom up to 100x

the same with others except Sony's 85-125 zoom, but there's no chance to convince imbeciles that fixed lens array is not a zoom lens.

 

[AudriusN]

You are being unnecessarily pedantic.

Zoom simply means to change smoothly from a close up to a long shot or vice versa. Nobody cares how you achieve it. There is no specificity on how, just the end result of changing focus from close to far.

You can zoom in various ways.

1a. Mechanical: Using multiple lens elements to alter the size of light rays hitting the sensor.
1b. Changing to different lens with a fixed focal length.
2a. Digitally: Cropping into an image
2b. Hybrid: Using multiple fixed focal lenses and using software to interpolate between those different focal lengths.

You are still zooming into the image.

I have 58, 135 and 550mm lenses for my camera. Is that a zoom setup? In no bloody way.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Something to note…

https://twitter.com/x/status/1701606421316681878