iPhone 15 Camera Upgrades Will Be 'Star of the Show' at Apple Event

[cocky jeremy]

USB-C is the star of the show, that alone justifies the upgrade

A lot of us couldn't care less what port the phone uses. MagSafe is the only way I charge and I haven't plugged my phone into a computer since the day we were able to stop doing that.

 

[headlessmike]

One aspect that isn't mentioned much is that a zoom lens, particularly a compact periscope design, with have a tiny aperture compared to an equivalent prime lens (single focal length) with a similar size. With the small sensors in smartphone cameras, they need all the light they can get. Diffraction becomes a problem as well even at moderate apertures. I cannot see how a periscope lens can compete with what we already have in terms of image quality. I say this as a person that's used various periscope designs over the years and always been a bit underwhelmed.

EDIT: I just did some math and the 48 MP sensor currently used begins to be limited by diffraction around f/2.4. Any decrease of the aperture size above this f-stop will reduce the image quality.

 

[dare100em]

Well they upgraded to 48MP from 12MP last year, and when I compared my 13 Pro with my 14 Pro, I saw almost no difference in most photos, whatsoever. That was supposed to be a big upgrade, however if you keep the sensor size fixed, increasing the resolution does almost nothing.

However the sensor size between the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 pro increased a lot, actually about 50% (1/1.28” instead of 1/1.7”) which was the biggest jump ever between two generations!

Apple seems to have troubles getting the most from a certain sensor using auto processing. In RAW, the 14 pro is superior to nearly anything else (smartphones only of course).

 

[VisceralRealist]

When are they not?

I know I’m in the minority, but in my opinion the cameras in iPhones are well past good enough. At this point I would be more impressed with a shrinking of the camera tumor than another size increase accompanied by software over processing.

I feel like this isn't talked about much, but it's an important point. It doesn't matter how impressive the hardware is if the software does most of the work and is often ruining photos. It's to the point where photos taken with my 13 sometimes look inferior to those I took with my 11 due to the over-sharpening and the silly HDR effect that we can no longer turn off like we used to be able to.

 

[citysnaps]

Every year it’s “camera upgrades” to wow us.

Yawn….🥱

Being a photographer that's what interests me the most. I suspect there are others as well.

 

[citysnaps]

The camera is the only thing I care less about than the charging cord.

See above.

 

[nburwell]

am I the only one who thinks the camera is fine enough? I guess this is for the social media gurus?

I definitely agree. My 14 Pro camera is good enough when I don’t have my mirrorless cameras on me, but for quick snaps of my kids, I’m more than okay with the phone capabilities.

 

[citysnaps]

However the sensor size between the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 pro increased a lot, actually about 50% (1/1.28” instead of 1/1.7”) which was the biggest jump ever !

Apple seems to have troubles getting the most from a certain sensor using auto processing. In RaW, the 14 pro is superior to nearly anything else.

Agree... On mine the quality is superb for a camera that fits in my shirt pocket.

 

[contacos]

I feel like the iPhone hardware is good enough. They need to focus on software again. What would get me to upgrade are new exclusive features but the iOS running on my iPhone 12 Pro Max is basically the same as on the latest so I don’t feel like spending 1,5k on something that „feels“ the same. I am probably in the minority and yes I get bored easily in general 😅

 

[citysnaps]

am I the only one who thinks the camera is fine enough? I guess this is for the social media gurus?

Possibly.

I use mine for making, printing, and framing photographs. I always look for even better performance and image quality.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Remember when they announced the first iPhone and fooled the audience with saying they are going to announce

• An iPod with touch controls
• A revolutionary mobile phone and
• An internet communicator

... and then unveiled, that is one device being very capable of all three (at that time). I would love to see something that is hinting at that again, instead of "We got a (slightly) better camera than before."

If motivated to do so, Apple could roll out:

• An iPod with virtual touch controls
• A revolutionary virtual phone with any size screen(s) and in any color one likes and able to change colors on a whim. Forget folds or rolls, this would dynamically scale as needed. Use your own palm or any flat service nearby for tactile feedback (like using a trackpad).

• A virtual iPad with any size screen(s)
• An Internet computer with any size screen(s)
• A new kind of laptop with any size screen(s)... even have your desktop screens with you
• A virtual Apple Watch with every color of band and every style of dial

And all of that able to be upgraded every year (or more frequently) without the costs of paying the supply chain for the tangible parts & pieces but simply based upon new designs and upgrades in software "designed in Cupertino."

Conceptually Vpro could deliver ALL of that... if Apple was willing.

 

[Seanm87]

Can we finally get rid of the camera bump? Jony Ive was very talented, but unlike Steve Jobs, Tim Cook could not reign-in Ive's worst tendencies (such as the camera bump, notch, rounded display edges, etc.).

Rounded edges look far better

 

[MajorFubar]

No it doesn’t. Most consumers have no idea what that is.

What alternative space-time continuum are you living in where you think most consumers don't know what USB C is? It's that socket used on literally every one of their other Apple laptops and iPads (and most non-Apple devices), except their stupid iPhone with its neanderthal obsolete bespoke connector from 2013.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I was looking at family pictures taken on my 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot from 2006 and they look just as great as any picture I would take on an iPhone today. The camera fight between Android and iPhone is going into superficial territory these days.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

If motivated to do so, Apple could roll out:

• An iPod with virtual touch controls
• A revolutionary virtual phone with any size screen(s) and in any color one likes and able to change colors on a whim. Forget folds or rolls, this would dynamically scale as needed. Use your own palm or any flat service nearby for tactile feedback.
• A virtual iPad with any size screen(s)
• An Internet computer with any size screen(s)
• A new kind of laptop with any size screen(s)... even have your desktop screens with you
• A virtual Apple Watch with every color of band and every style of dial

And all of that able to be upgraded every year (or more frequently) without the costs of paying the supply chain for that tangible parts & pieces but simply based upon new designs and upgrades in software "designed in Cupertino"

Conceptually Vpro could deliver ALL of that... if Apple was willing.

Once I can do all that without wearing ski goggles, maybe.

I have zero interest in virtual anything. When my phone goes in my pocket, or on my desk, I am disconnected and wish to stay that way. I don't watch movies or tv solo, so that is out. I don't game. I need my watch when I'm trail or road running, and I'm not doing that with a vision pro. The list goes on.

 

[jonnysods]

I'm more excited for a smaller bezel/form factor, lighter weight and better battery life. Not sure how realistic any of that is.

 

[winners_doglike_08@icloud]

What alternative space-time continuum are you living in where you think most consumers don't know what USB C is? It's that socket used on literally every one of their other Apple laptops and iPads (and most non-Apple devices), except their stupid iPhone with its neanderthal obsolete bespoke connector from 2013.

Indeed it is. And most consumers have no idea what it is.

 

[Rogue AI]

$200 price increase for camera features most of us will never use.

Great.

 

[winners_doglike_08@icloud]

Get rid of the camera bump by making the whole phone thicker? Or making the camera significantly worse?

 

[Rogue AI]

Camera upgrades are blah to me nowadays. Yes, the camera can be better but to make it the "star" of the show is underwhelming. I guess it’s because we expect cameras and battery life upgrades each year...basically a given.

And it‘s irritating that most YouTube phone reviewers spend 1/3 of their videos talking about cameras. Most people use point and shoot and don’t care about the cameras since all of them have been good enough for a few years now.

 

[winners_doglike_08@icloud]

I'm more excited for a smaller bezel/form factor, lighter weight and better battery life. Not sure how realistic any of that is.

Smaller bezel you will get, but it’s hardly exciting! Weight and battery life are in direct opposition with each other.

 

[winners_doglike_08@icloud]

$200 price increase for camera features most of us will never use.

Great.

We will use them of course, because they’re there. Do we need or want them? Well, I do. A better optical zoom will make me feel less like I’ve ditched my SLR prematurely. Interested in a previous comment about quality issues with periscope zooms, so I’ll maybe wait for the reviews.

 

[Rogue AI]

Indeed it is. And most consumers have no idea what it is.

I don‘t buy that argument. USB C has been around for so long now that politicians are talking about it. If people don’t know what USB C is, they’ve been living under a rock the past 6-7 years, especially since iPads and MacBooks have been using USB C for a few years now.

 

[Rogue AI]

We will use them of course, because they’re there. Do we need or want them? Well, I do. A better optical zoom will make me feel less like I’ve ditched my SLR prematurely. Interested in a previous comment about quality issues with periscope zooms, so I’ll maybe wait for the reviews.

Cool.

How many times did you use pro res or cinematic mode this year?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Coming from a photographer: stacked sensor has nothing to do with improved dynamic range or capturing more light.
Stacked sensors have faster readout speed, meaning they have less rolling shutter. This was basically never an issue with smartphone cameras, so I'm not sure what benefit it can provide, maybe they will spin it up with some marketing terms. In order for them to capture more light they need to use a larger sensor, or a brighter lens there is no other way.

Yes, given how the camera seems to be the bulk of the "upgrade" rationale almost every year now, and the laws of physics are more rigid than Apple's walled garden, I find myself thinking this: instead of continuing to try to glom on an ever-improved camera to a phone form factor, how about going the other way? What if Apple would create a new camera product that gloms the other iPhone benefits onto a camera form factor?

All those rigid physics inhibitors would be eliminated because a relatively skinny brick would no longer dictate all. And frankly, the bulk of the non-camera parts will work just fine on a screen on the back of this hypothetical new product creation by Apple. Wear it around the neck like photographers have for many decades...

In this case, this hypothetical Apple Camera would also have all of the non-camera, iPhone benefits too. Use buds with mic for calls (as many already do).

In my case, I opt for iPad Mini (Voip app and buds) to double as my phone and it works just fine as a phone. At times, I take or make calls on my MB. For something to be a "phone," it doesn't have to be a roughly hand-sized, skinny brick. Telephony is just an app... like Maps, Flashlight, iPod, Tape Measure, Compass, etc.

A true camera could easily do that too. Put the same size touch screen on the back of this camera which would double as a big viewfinder (as many do with their phone now).

Obviously, this would NOT replace the brick in our pocket option... just offer an alternative for those who care much more about the camera than the "rest." Premium cameras sell for Apple-type pricing & margin. A hybrid Apple-branded camera that also has all of the app benefits of iOS seems like it would be quite desirable to that crowd vs. buying only someone else's full-sized cameras alone.