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Better camera performance is great, but it's going to take more than that, a smaller notch, or some other non-functional design change to interest me in an upgrade. An effective under-screen fingerprint sensor, for example.
100%. I'm still using my iPhone 7 Plus because I want nothing to do with Face ID. Reading about the latest iOS beta that allows confirming Face ID for masked users on their Apple watch, why doesn't Apple just have the watch unlock the iPhone the same way? I only have to unlock my watch once a day, but my others devices constantly. This would be an acceptable alternative to reintroducing Touch ID on devices.
 
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I wish Apple would use one of those high MP sensors (eg. 108MP sensors that Samsung uses), thus they can provide enough pixel density for a good digital zoom. With some ML magic, I'm sure it's possible to have good enough 2x digital zooms. Pixel phones can do it with old 12MP sensor, so I don't see why Apple couldn't.

1.) I did some research into the high MP sensors awhile back, & then concluded I would simply prefer Apple offer 12.2 Mpx image sensors with BIGGER pixels.

2.) Those old 12.2 Mpx image sensors have the exact same Read Noise Performance Specs as the latest & greatest image sensors; this is where the Mobile Industry has hit a wall; Google stuck with what they have because this Spec is NOT improving; unless/until it does, things have stalled-out; supporting 10-bit capture @ 60 fps isn't even possible today with 12.2 Mpx image sensors; 40 fps OR so is best case today; better circuitry is needed (in the ICs & as power input to the ICs) to reduce the ADC read noise to move past where we are today.
 
Why not a high end camera in a phone size case? Fair disclosure: I'm not an optical or camera engineer, but know just enough to be dangerous. What do you get with a high end Canon, Nikon, etc? 1) A big sensor. You can get a lot of light on a big sensor. Why not cover the back of a phone camera with sensors? That's a big area. 2) On a pro or consumer pro camera you get large, expensive, heavy, bulky long focal length big-glass. Bend the light with a mirror 90 degrees and travel along the longer dimensions of the phone. Combine all this with some computing power, voila! Who wouldn't want a high end camera that fits in your pocket. Wouldn't this fit Apple's expertise much closer than a car? Next project, fit all this in a watch :)
 

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1.) I did some research into the high MP sensors awhile back, & then concluded I would simply prefer Apple offer 12.2 Mpx image sensors with BIGGER pixels.

2.) Those old 12.2 Mpx image sensors have the exact same Read Noise Performance Specs as the latest & greatest image sensors; this is where the Mobile Industry has hit a wall; Google stuck with what they have because this Spec is NOT improving; unless/until it does, things have stalled-out; supporting 10-bit capture @ 60 fps isn't even possible today with 12.2 Mpx image sensors; 40 fps OR so is best case today; better circuitry is needed (in the ICs & as power input to the ICs) to reduce the ADC read noise to move past where we are today.
The high MP sensors can do pixel binning to compensate for the pixel size. At the same time, it gives room pixel-density wise for better digital zoom. Add on some ML magic, this might be a solution for the non-pro iPhones if Apple insisted on equipping only 2 lenses (wide and ultra-wide).

Meanwhile the Pros can keep their current setup as they have an actual telephoto lens.

Anyway, just an idea.
 
It would be nice to have all iPhone models receive the same cameras but I doubt Apple would do such as it allows them to differentiate and upcharge on the Pro and Pro Max.

I‘d rather they remove MagSafe (which is honestly better used for laptops) and focus on streamlining their product line. 4-5 versions of the same product is getting out of hand and reminds me of the fragmented Scully era. Two sizes, same features, simple.

Perhaps a Touch ID sensor (under the display or on the power button like the iPad Air) would make sense as we head into year two of the pandemic.
 
Why not a high end camera in a phone size case? Fair disclosure: I'm not an optical or camera engineer, but know just enough to be dangerous. What do you get with a high end Canon, Nikon, etc? 1) A big sensor. You can get a lot of light on a big sensor. Why not cover the back of a phone camera with sensors? That's a big area. 2) On a pro or consumer pro camera you get large, expensive, heavy, bulky long focal length big-glass. Bend the light with a mirror 90 degrees and travel along the longer dimensions of the phone. Combine all this with some computing power, voila! Who wouldn't want a high end camera that fits in your pocket. Wouldn't this fit Apple's expertise much closer than a car? Next project, fit all this in a watch :)
That images makes my skin itch lol https://www.healthline.com/health/trypophobia
 
I don’t get it. Apple has a huge number of photo related patents. That includes a large number from its own R&D, as well as I believe, at least 2,000 it bought from Kodak a few years ago.

yet, it just buys these things from off the shelf manufacturers. It should come out with much better cameras itself, even if they do cost a bit more. What‘s all that money for that they have? From the vast amount they throw in the trash from those worthless stock buybacks, they could take a measly $200 million, and develop something spectacular.
 
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Not sure about the flat sides without any chamfering at all. I liked the idea but found the execution lazy. Ergonomically it works OK with a smaller phone like the mini but with the Max it's not and it feels larger in hand than its curved predecessor. The black 12 looks REALLY good but when it comes to stainless steel Pro's, the previous curved design felt more premium. The flat bright sides feel like a kitchen appliance with a ton of fingerprints.
Interesting observation about the sides. I have only seen one 12 Pro in the wild and it was my buddies. The one I noticed that I didn’t like was how much more polished the sides looked compared to the more smoked looking SS finish on my 11 Pro. The 12 Pro was graphite va my space gray 11 Pro.
 
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I've always enjoyed making photographs with iPhones, going back to the iPhone 5, followed by the 6+, 10 X, and now the 12 Pro. When I'm out an about my iPhone is always with ready for a photo on a moment's notice. Though I have dSLRs, and various "mirrorless" cams, and even an Arca-Swiss 4x5, I much prefer using my phone. The photo below was from my 6+, in San Francisco, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Cliff House and Man.jpg
 
I don’t get it. Apple has a huge number of photo related patents. That includes a large number from its own R&D, as well as I believe, at least 2,000 it bought from Kodak a few years ago.

yet, it just buys these things from off the shelf manufacturers. It should come out with much better cameras itself, even if they do cost a bit more. What‘s all that money for that they have? From the vast amount they throw in the trash from those worthless stock buybacks, they could take a measly $200 million, and develop something spectacular.

Why, when the results that can be achieved are likely a great match for 99% of Apple's customer base? The success or strength of a photo rarely has much to do with gear.


Glen Park.jpg
 
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Why do people care about/like the ultra wide camera? I find it to be the most useless out of the 3, and quite frankly would much rather have 5x or 10x than 0.5x. If the iPhone 12 had 1x and 2x I would buy it over the pro, the only thing that makes its camera system VERY underwhelming is having that pointless 0.5x
it's done on purpose so you buy the pro
 
Please tell me there's a lot more to the iPhone 13 than just this camera upgrade.
 
Why, when the results that can be achieved are likely a great match for 99% of Apple's customer base? The success or strength of a photo rarely has much to do with gear.


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What you’re saying isn’t really true. We know that the cameras are one of the most important reasons why people buy a particular camera. There’s no reason why Apple has to have a “me too” camera in their phones.
 
That’s why a lot of people don’t upgrade every year anymore, smartphone market has matured, I’ll be keeping my 12 pro max for another year when the 12s/13 arrives, then hello you sexy thing apple foldable iPhone 2023 😁
I'm still on my XS. I was tempted to get the 12 or the 12 pro but between quarantine and how well my current phone performs, I'm thinking one more generation might do the trick.
 
What you’re saying isn’t really true. We know that the cameras are one of the most important reasons why people buy a particular camera. There’s no reason why Apple has to have a “me too” camera in their phones.

It's absolutely true. And there are a lot of reasons why Apple doesn't design, starting with the sensor, and have manufactured their own camera. Just curious, are you an electrical engineer or photographer?


Moma path.jpg
 
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Maybe I'm jaded, but tiptoeing towards upgrading the three cameras one by one in subsequent iterations looks like nothing but a money grab. Sure, Apple is all about the profits, can't blame them, they're not a charity, but these tiny upgrades in subsequent generations just look silly.
I don’t think you’re jaded bro, like someone said below the smartphone market is quite mature at this point so progress tend to be more iterative. Same reason I upgrade roughly every 3 gens, the mini for me very interested this year
 
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Interesting observation about the sides. I have only seen one 12 Pro in the wild and it was my buddies. The one I noticed that I didn’t like was how much more polished the sides looked compared to the more smoked looking SS finish on my 11 Pro. The 12 Pro was graphite va my space gray 11 Pro.
I fiddled a bit with a colleague's blue Pro Max. The size and supershiny sides made me happy to hold on to my green 11 Pro. The only thing I momentarily envied was the camera. Nothing else.
 
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I don’t get it. Apple has a huge number of photo related patents. That includes a large number from its own R&D, as well as I believe, at least 2,000 it bought from Kodak a few years ago.

yet, it just buys these things from off the shelf manufacturers. It should come out with much better cameras itself, even if they do cost a bit more. What‘s all that money for that they have? From the vast amount they throw in the trash from those worthless stock buybacks, they could take a measly $200 million, and develop something spectacular.
Timmy doesn't care about developing something spectacular. As long as minimum effort/ risk still sell tons, he'll keep on reaping these record quarterly earnings to pump back into worthless stock buybacks. Probably they'll be using these patents for infringement-related litigation cases and nothing more. And that's Apple today.
 
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