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I'd think instead of pixel binning it'd be more like Sony's pixel shift where it takes multiple images at once then stitches them together. Apply already uses Sony sensors.
Pixel shift does not take multiple images at once. It takes a series of images in rapid succession, moving the sensor slightly between each image.
 
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Maybe I'm in the minority, but I've stopped caring about the cameras a while ago. By all means keep pushing quality forward, but it all seems to be about cameras these days and it's getting boring.

I know it's not an either/or, but I wish Apple would shift more attention back to software. I struggle to remember the last really cool and useful new iOS feature. It's getting stale in an admittedly high level, but still.
 
Ideally, they would offer a Pro Mini option with the 48MP sensor.

Sadly, they may be going the other direction (canceling the Mini). Why are we penalized for having small pockets and decent eyesight?
Because Apple figured it out that, statistically, people with small pockets also have small wallets.
 
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I have compared the X and 12 at the store and still don’t see any must have reasons to upgrade.
I'm running both. The X stays attached to my TV mostly, to play media content. Every time I pick it up I think how much I prefer it to my 12! I am almost tempted to switch them over.
 
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I’ve been on a 2 year cycle for the past couple generations and I think that makes the most sense as far as feeling bigger changes between generations. The 13 Pro has several meaningful features that will keep it feeling fresh for a while-ProMotion, Cameras, battery life, and design.
I had the Xr, 11 Pro Max and then the 12 pro Max. I don’t see any reason to upgrade until there is a legitimately better zoom. I like the edges of the 12, otherwise I could have just stayed with the Xr to be honest. Every upgrade since then has been pretty minuscule unless you take a lot of video, which I don’t.
 
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I suppose if true, next October is when I’ll upgrade my 12mini to the 13 mini and just keep it til Apple comes to its senses again… 3 or 4 years I guess…. It’s too bad when millions of satisfied customers are considered a failure
 
A significant increase in optical zoom capability can be realized by hiding a long vertical lens inside the case of the iPhone, leaving the lens opening at the top where it already is, eliminating the need for a “periscope.” In fact, an optical pipeline of mirrors could be routed around the case interior several times… assuming further space savings can be achieved by reducing the footprints of other interior components.
Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't what you describe exactly what a periscope lens is?
 
Anything what Xiaomi or Samsung does Apple does 3-5 years later. Got it.
like what? Periscope zoom? How many Xiaomi and Samsung phones actually have periscope zoom? Very few. Meaning that the tech itself is relatively new, expensive, and/or very low yield.

Just like LTPO variable refresh rate OLED. Apple basically waited until Samsung can finalize it and produce it in volume before they adopted it. Periscope zoom lens tech is still evolving, with upcoming techniques like liquid lens.
 
If they can’t get a periscope lens on a big sensor (1” or bigger; or as sensitive for real portraits and cinematic video without AI) fit into something the size of the iPhone mini or smaller without a camera hump and without two or three lenses on the back, then I’ll stick with either the iPhone I have now or whatever SE option is available.
There’s this thing called physics. Large 1” sensor is actually not easily feasible in a thin form factor of a smartphone, unless you are fine with a more extreme camera bump. You know that new Sony phone that boasted a 1” sensor? It couldn’t even utilize the whole sensor area.

ML will surpass the need of larger sensors in smartphones. We can look at the advancement Google has done with their ML.
 
like what? Periscope zoom? How many Xiaomi and Samsung phones actually have periscope zoom? Very few. Meaning that the tech itself is relatively new, expensive, and/or very low yield.
That's not true. Yields are definitely not low.
Xiaomi and Samsung have periscope cameras only on their top tier flagships because it's a differentiator, a high end feature reserved for their best. Almost every major Android OEM has implemented pericope cameras together with Sony, Motorola, Google etc. At this point it's a very proven and mature tech.
Just like LTPO variable refresh rate OLED. Apple basically waited until Samsung can finalize it and produce it in volume before they adopted it.
Samsung finalized it when they launched the Galaxy Note 20 Pro with an LTPO display.

Periscope zoom lens tech is still evolving, with upcoming techniques like liquid lens.
Periscope cameras are mature as a tech, the fact that's still evolving is not a valid excuse for not implementing it.
"Liquid lens" is not an essential add-on for a periscope camera imolementation not to mention it's not necessary meant for periscope cameras.
 
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But 48MP is the choice when you want to do a 12MP with pixel binning.
You’re thinking of CCD sensors where pixel binning was commonly used. Over sampling would be used in this case since binning yields bad results and you still wouldn’t need a 48MP sensor.
 
48 because they're planning to do pixel binning, so in the end photos would still be 12 MP (4 or 8 way binning)
It’s called super sampling not binning.
48 because they're planning to do pixel binning, so in the end photos would still be 12 MP (4 or 8 way binning)
Pixel binning was useful for CCD sensors, it’s hardly ever used on high end CMOS systems due to poor RN and inferior results. Oversampling would be used on their sensors for suppressing moiré and reducing noise.

I can still see Apple going with a <=24MP sensor over a 48MP sensor.
 
You’re thinking of CCD sensors where pixel binning was commonly used. Over sampling would be used in this case since binning yields bad results and you still wouldn’t need a 48MP sensor.
Modern smartphones added advance algorithm and quad bay filter.
https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-pixel-binning-966179/
It’s simple math really, using quad bay filter, 48MP will output 12MP. Some smartphones even use 108MP and Nona binning.

In terms of Apple, they could’ve used the tech but still advertise 12MP for photos. The advantage of the high res sensor is to get 8k video capture (which is around 33MP).
 
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