Hi there,
All the hype about the new iPhone has got me thinking lately. You see, all the hype states a better camera as part of the upgrade, but I dont think so. The iPhone is only a phone. If Apple were to make any improvements, they should be to the processor, radio and capacity.
There are a couple of reasons why Apple would not put a new/better camera in the iPhone.
1) Camera + Phone avenue is still pretty well dominated by sony erikson, who have up to 12mpx cameras on the back of their phones. WOW!
2) The small image size the camera produces is of good enough quality, but yet still small enough to efficiently upload to the web. (twitpic, etc)
3)A bigger camera means a bulkier phone, and that does not fit in with Apple’s funk.
Next, we expected to see a camera on the latest iPod touch, didn’t happen. Then we expected to see it on the iPad, surprise surprise, it didn’t happen, much to the child below’s disappointment.
(skip to 0:28)
“I want the one that takes the picture.
I’m going to have to conclude that a better camera will not be coming to the iPhone 4G/HD anytime soon. So thats my take on the quality of cameras on Apple products. However, i’m not going to get comment on the quantity… thats for another post.
Till then,
Be safe, click away, have fun.
Sam:P
May 15, 2010 @ 22:15:38
An improvement in camera MP is a very easy way to show that the phone has been upgraded – most people know that a 5MP camera is better than a 3MP one (even if they don’t know exactly why). A processor upgrade, on the other hand, is harder to sell because many people don’t know exactly what a change to a custom Apple chip means (assuming that that’s going to happen). People will only upgrade if they think they’re getting something new/better.
So I don’t entirely agree with you, I think Apple *will* improve the rear camera as well as adding a front camera
Although, because Apple will (probably) be upgrading the iPhone design, and adding a front camera (as mentioned), most people will be able to recognize it as a significant upgrade anyway, so they may leave the rear camera as is.
Your third point, however, is interesting – are you sure Apple would have to bulk up the phone to add in an upgraded camera? I’ve heard rumors of an upgrade to 5MP, would that add extra bulk? I don’t really know much about the state of camera technology, so I don’t know how much space a 5MP camera would take up versus a 3MP one.
Anyway, I could be completely wrong – I’m just speculating – but I guess we’ll see soon who’s right
Nice post, btw, I like reading different people’s opinions on matters such as this, very interesting
May 19, 2010 @ 18:47:36
nor am I up to date with the technology of camera size. But a lens is a lens, and it has to capture so much light to work. Consider this though, If they did have the tech to put a good camera in it, why didn’t it make an appearance in the iPad?
Also – I agree that processor upgrades are not too wow, but on the contrary, look at all the 3GS sale. This compared with 4.0 could make for a very enticing phone w/o a camera upgrade. I think what most people want is a capacity upgrade. 64/128 GBS. I myself wouldn’t mind a better GPS chip. Its terrible.
May 15, 2010 @ 22:17:29
wow that was a long comment! I think your friend Andrew might have been on to something – I do have a very time-wasting habit of writing very long comments etc.
May 16, 2010 @ 00:32:37
I have to say I respectfully disagree. As dankando has said, a camera is a highly visible specification that most people can relate to. We all know about the megapixel myth and its effect on camera sales, now that same theory is being transferred to mobile phones. People are drawn to these phones with 8 or 12MP cameras despite the fact that it is unlikely to result in a proportional increase in image quality.
Beyond that it would be pointless for Apple to try and compete with the current stable of smartphones with a 3.2MP camera that is slow and doesn’t even have a flash, often resulting in blurry or grainy photos.
However the most damning evidence has to be the discovered prototypes themselves which show both a front facing camera, a rear facing camera with a larger lens and a flash.
http://gizmodo.com/5520164/this-is-apples-next-iphone
May 19, 2010 @ 18:44:10
I see you point about the MP propaganda – but to be honest, they do produce some pretty good pics. My mate is doing his latest picture taking project on his phone, although i’m not to sure what it is.
And yes, the prototype is convincing but as you see in a previous post of mine, theres a chance its not going to be the next iPhone.
May 19, 2010 @ 18:47:45
nah its good man.