Apple is reportedly upgrading the front-facing camera on its iPhones, starting with the iPhone 6s, which will sport a brand new 5MP sensor, according to an analyst.
That analyst is KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a reputation for his accurate predictions about Apple's newest products. In a note sent by Kuo to investors and obtained by MacRumors, Kuo says the iPhone 6s, which is expected to be revealed by Apple at a media event on Sept. 9, will have a 5MP front-facing camera.
This is a considerable upgrade from the 1.2MP front shooter that has been sitting on the front of iPhones since the iPhone 5, released in 2012. Meanwhile, plenty of Android smartphones have gone ahead packing huge sensors into their front and back cameras, and a 5MP front camera will likely put the iPhone 6s up to par with other flagship devices.
Not that megapixels are the end all and be all of picture quality. In fact, even with Apple's 8MP cameras pitted against the 16MP and 20MP cameras of other smartphone makers, the iPhone 6 still remains with one of the best phone cameras in town, arguably just behind the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the LG G4. Still, it is about time that Apple gave its megapixel count a boost. Word has it that Apple will also be upgrading its 8MP back camera to 12MP and will be equipping it with 4K video recording capabilities, rumors which have so far remained unconfirmed by Kuo.
He does, however, say that Apple will be ditching the sapphire glass for its camera sensors, citing the material's brittleness and its poor performance in drop tests. Sapphire glass, which is used on the Apple Watch, is scratch-resistant, but it is not immune to cracking or shattering when dropped.
Kuo also says reports about a 16GB entry-level iPhone 6s are correct, disputing earlier rumors that Apple is finally doing away with the 16GB storage option to make way for 32GB. Other storage options are the usual 64GB and 128GB.
On contract, the iPhone 6s will be $200, $300 and $400 respectively, but since most of the major U.S. carriers have signaled the death knell for two-year contracts, most customers will be paying $650, $750 and $850 upfront for the 16GB, 64GB and 128GB iPhones 6s. Those who want to get the iPhone 6s Plus will have to add an extra $100 for each storage tier.
Kuo further reaffirmed his earlier predictions about an upgraded Touch ID fingerprint scanner, Force Touch and a new rose gold color option.
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have reportedly entered mass production in mid-August, with Apple expected to sell a rumored 90 million units of its upcoming smartphones. Kuo, however, is pessimistic about the new devices, predicting zero to negative growth in sales compared to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
