By now you’ve probably come across at least one news story about the rumored periscope zoom camera that Apple’s (supposedly) getting ready for the new iPhone. After debuting on Android in 2019 via the Huawei P30 Pro, the modern version of a periscope zoom lens is now expected to finally make it to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and possibly the smaller iPhone 15 Pro too. While we don’t know exactly how much more capable than the 3x zoom lens on the iPhone 14 Pro the new periscope shooter will be, there seems to be a surprising or even “shocking” (by Apple standards) development related to the primary, more important camera on iPhone 15 Pro Max (and iPhone 15 Pro, we’d hope).
Believe it or not (and I certainly find it hard to believe), the reputable Ice Universe tipster is now telling us that iPhone 15 Pro Max will use a sensor with “specifications… close to 1-inch – that’s for sure!”. Ice is a smartphone camera fanatic who does his research, which might give this surprising leak of information some added credibility.
Still, there are a few unturned stones around the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s “close to 1-inch” camera, which I can (at least) try to shuffle around if it doesn’t turn. Apparently, we’re talking about an unreleased Sony sensor that was once supposed to bless Sony’s own Xperia Pro-II – a phone that was never released.
And apparently, this sensor is about 2x more expensive than the 50MP IMX989 in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which is a “full” 1-inch type sensor. And apparently (as per an older report) Apple might finally address some of the biggest problems with the iPhone’s questionable image processing.
And apparently I’ll try to make sense of all the random information to give you an idea of what might be coming to the iPhone 15 Pro Max or/and iPhone 16 Ultra. If the rumors are true.
Close to 1-inch primary camera (possibly) coming to iPhone 15 Pro Max: Apple is finally willing to fight Android on a hardware level?
iPhone 15 might be able to capture true 12 bit Dolby Vision (HDR). The IMX 903 is twice as strong as IMX 989 (with) double the bit-rate capabilities – may be installed just on iPhone 15 Pro Max. Price almost 2x that of IMX 989.
- Apple will indeed use about 90% of a 1-inch sensor, namely the IMX 903, making the primary camera on iPhone 15 Pro Max 1/1.14-inch big, which would indicate that the “full 1-inch sensor” might be utilized in the rumored iPhone 16 Ultra next year, giving Apple time to optimize the sensor for maximum performance but also set the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max apart (the former is now expected to get the same 48MP camera as iPhone 14 Pro)
- The rumors are false, and Apple will keep it conservative, giving iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max the same 1/1.28 48MP sensor from iPhone 14 Pro
- The “near 1-inch” IMX 903 camera is indeed coming to iPhone but to next year’s iPhone 16 (Ultra) – quite nicely fitting for the first “Ultra” iPhone (if this one’s a thing)
1-inch camera sensors are now becoming the norm on premium Android flagships but that’s not the (only) thing Apple needs to fix the iPhone camera
In fact, even Google is now expected to join the big image sensor club with the 1/1.12-inch Samsung GN2 – although pretty large in surface area, this is the same camera used in the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra from 2021. If it all pans out, the Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max might end up using almost identically large primary camera sensors – one made by Samsung and the other one by Sony.
Apple’s primary camera sensor size has been growing steadily; a 1-inch sensor is the logical move for 2023/2024
- iPhone 15 Pro: 48MP, IMX903, 1/1.14-inch (exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro Max?)
- iPhone 14 Pro: 48MP, IMX803, 1/1.28-inch
- iPhone 13 Pro: 12MP, IMX703, 1/1.63-inch
- iPhone 12 Pro: 12MP, IMX603, 1/1.78-inch
- iPhone 11 Pro: 12MP, IMX503, 1/2.55-inch
As you can see, contrary to the general belief and Cupertino’s “slow innovation” strategy, Apple’s also no stranger to frequent upgrades to the primary image sensors on Pro iPhones. Compared to iPhone 11 Pro, the primary camera used in iPhone 14 Pro comes with a far larger sensor.
But is this “near 1-inch camera sensor” that’s supposedly coming to iPhone 15 Pro Max going to change Apple’s approach to photography forever or turn out to be just a regular hardware upgrade?
Luckily, a rumor/leak from a few months back claims that the new Sony sensor(s) on the iPhone 15 Pro should help Apple’s flagship achieve better image processing and HDR, which (to me) is a much more needed upgrade.
As someone who looks at countless camera samples and comparisons (all the time), I can safely say that the current state of the iPhone’s image processing (photo and video) is in dire need of improvement that brings it up to date with the likes of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which now takes photos and videos that resemble these of a “real camera”.
Oversharpening, excessive brightness, unnaturally blue skies, lack of fine detail, limited zoom range, and far worse performance in low-light. Having looked at a ton of camera samples comparing the iPhone 14 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra, I’m afraid Apple’s cameras now take photos (in some scenarios videos too) that appear to be a couple of generations behind. Is a 1-inch sensor enough to fix this?
With or without a 1-inch sensor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max camera will need major changes to compete with the best of the best (Xiaomi 13 Ultra)
Of course we shouldn’t forget that the other major camera upgrade that’s supposedly coming to the iPhone 15 Pro/Max is a zoom camera with a longer optical range. Current rumors are pointing towards a 5-6x optical zoom lens, and if this and the whole “near 1-inch camera sensor” thing pans out, then the iPhone 15 Pro/Max would be one of Apple’s biggest camera upgrades in recent history.
Of course, I won’t get tired of repeating (although I sort of am) that the weaknesses of Apple’s cameras don’t quite boil down to “poor hardware” but rather dated image processing, which caters to photography and videography that looks good only on your Instagram feed but quickly falls apart when compared to a true camera phone.
So, whether we’re getting a 1-inch of “close to 1-inch” camera and advanced optical zoom on iPhone 15 Pro/Max, Apple needs to try harder to challenge the likes of the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Xiaomi 13 Pro. Let alone win.
Explore More
Belinda Bencic teases her boyfriend’s photography skills with adorable pictures captured by Ons Jabeur’s husband
Belinda Bencic teased her boyfriend Martin Hromkovic by posting their “high quality” pictures captured by Ons Jabeur’s husband Karim Kamoun at the recently concluded Charleston Open. Ons Jabeur, who was the Charleston Open runner-up against Belinda Bencic in the previous edition, turned the tables this time around against the Swiss to lift the winner’s trophy […]
News in pictures: Friday April 21, 2023
For more pictures from The Times follow us on Instagram A parade of vintage vehicles drives down Bridlington’s old High Street, once used as a location for the television series Dad’s Army. An estimated 80,000 people are expected this weekend in the east Yorkshire town for the Race the Waves motoring festival, when a host […]
Wacken Open Air And PEP BONET Foster Photo Talents; “Wacken Rock ‘N Roll Photography Workshop” Application Phase Has Begun
Once again, the Wacken Foundation and NOOR Foundation are cooperating to offer photographers a unique opportunity to further develop their art in a very special environment: Together with star photographer Pep Bonet (pictured above) who will act as mentor, six selected talents will explore the Wacken Open Air 2023 (August 2 – 5), capture the […]