Apple is purportedly gearing up to supercharge the camera in its upcoming standard iPhone 15, introducing the 48MP main sensor – a feature hitherto only available in the current top-tier iPhone, specifically, the Dynamic Island feature. The new device is set to debut in September of this year.
This speculation, while circulating for several months, has now gained traction due to a recent report viewed by ITHome. The document divulges that Sony has requested assistance from semiconductor giant TSMC to handle the increased iPhone production demand, in light of the prospect of a 48MP main camera gracing every model of the anticipated iPhone 15 line.
The standard iPhone 14 currently sports a dual-camera array with a 12MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a setup mirroring that of the iPhone 13, barring minor tweaks in the imaging pipeline and an increment in aperture size in the iPhone 14. Thus, it is heartening news for potential upgraders that Apple could be poised to provide a substantial incentive with the introduction of a superior camera in the iPhone 15.
The pioneers
Worth highlighting is the fact that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were the pioneers in incorporating 48MP sensors with pixel-binning technology, which amalgamates four pixels into one larger effective pixel, consequently enhancing low-light photography and colour accuracy. It seems this high-end sensor may not be an exclusive feature of Apple’s Pro line for much longer, with the iPhone 15 potentially receiving a camera redesign to accommodate it.
However, this doesn’t imply that the gap between the standard iPhone 15 and its Pro counterparts will narrow. The iPhone 15 Pro and the rumoured iPhone 15 Ultra are anticipated to receive substantial camera overhauls of their own, possibly featuring periscope cameras and the largest camera sensors ever seen in an iPhone. The Ultra model may even sport a telephoto lens with variable zoom capabilities.
Yet, the standard iPhone 15 may continue to lack one of the major attractions of the iPhone 14 Pro – the adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate technology, known as ProMotion, which dynamically modifies display smoothness based on on-screen activity. Reports suggest the iPhone 15 will persist with the conventional 60Hz refresh rate.
ProMotion is vital for the operation of Apple’s always-on display feature, so it’s unlikely that the standard iPhone 15 will acquire this functionality. However, for those unimpressed by the always-on display of the iPhone 14 Pro but are attracted to the Dynamic Island feature, improved camera, and the high-speed A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 15 could be an affordable alternative to Apple’s existing flagship smartphone.
