The rumored iPhone 6s is expected to have a 12MP camera with five-element lenses. Apple is also said to have started preparing for the iPhone 7, which is estimated to get six-element lenses.
Many customers now use their smartphones instead of a stand-alone camera for taking pictures. Camera capabilities have become an important aspect for customers when it comes to buying a new handset. An 8MP camera sensor has featured in Apple smartphones since the launch of Apple iPhone 4s in 2011. The existing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are also equipped with an 8MP camera.
iPhone enthusiasts have been hoping for a better camera sensor in the iPhone for a few years. A Business Insider report cited sources in the iPhone supply chain and leaked that the iPhone 6s would be equipped with a better camera when compared to its predecessors.
"Apple is currently ordering suppliers to produce five-element lenses for the iPhone 6s that are designed to work with 12-megapixel camera sensors," said a source to Business Insider.
An "element" in a camera lens refers to the layer of plastic, which makes up part of the whole lens in a camera. Each and every layer, or element, functions as a standalone lens. However, when they are combined in one lens, they can capture detailed and complex images.
A five-element lens is like five lenses put together for producing high-quality images.
The source in the iPhone supply chain also revealed that Apple is also ordering six-element lenses that may be used in future iPhone models, probably the iPhone 7. The OnePlus 2 has six-element lens crammed into its 13MP camera.
The iPhone 6 Plus comes with optical image stabilizer (OIS), but the same is absent from the iPhone 6. A previous report indicated that the iPhone 6s will also come with OIS for better image quality.
Apple has not yet confirmed the launch date of the next-generation iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, but both the smartphones are expected to be unveiled at an event on Sept. 9. iPhone lovers will have to wait another few weeks before they can lay their eyes on the upcoming Apple smartphones.
Photo: John Karakatsanis | Flickr
