The next iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are expected to deliver a major boost with 48MP primary sensors, while the current vanilla iPhone models remain limited to 12MP resolution. This new sensor is expected to be superior to the one found in the iPhone 15 Pro, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Note that the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are likely to employ the same sensor as last year (the Sony IMX803). However, the base iPhone 15 models will be the first to adopt Sony’s new stacked image sensor tech, which should result in better photos.
Mounted iPhone Cameras
Each pixel’s photodiode and transistor are organized in a “stacked” form, wherein they are on separate layers. However, traditional sensors have both components sitting next to one another, which is inefficient. The stacked camera sensor is able to catch roughly twice as much light as conventional sensors thanks to this technology, resulting in remarkable dynamic range.
The analyst predicts that the stacked sensors will first appear on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max the following year. Other aspects of Apple’s cameras, such as sensor size and image stabilization method, can still set them apart from the competition.
Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the only model in this generation to feature a periscope camera system, indicating that the improvements to the camera extend beyond the main sensor.
The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to feature a periscope with a “super telephoto” lens that will significantly improve the quality of photos taken with the phone.
Kuo warns that Apple’s massive acquisition of stacked Sony sensors to produce tens of millions of iPhones will keep supplies low until 2025. This could make it difficult for competing smartphone makers to acquire the same sensors.
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