Apple could use a bigger ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 14 Pro models. Apart from a significant jump in component cost, the bigger sensor should help improve low-light image quality.
The company is already rumored to use a larger 48MP primary camera on the Pro iPhones this year.
iPhone 14 Pro’s ultra-wide camera could shoot better low-light photos
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 14 Pro will use a new ultra-wide sensor with larger 1.4µm pixels. That’s up from the current 12MP sensor featuring a 1.0µm pixel size. It is unclear if the ultra-wide camera will also see a resolution bump from 12MP.
The upgrade will lead to a substantial increase in component costs, though. “CIS (CMOS image sensor), VCM (voice coil motor), and CCM (compact camera module) have a significant unit price increase in this upgrade, with about 70%, 45%, and 40%,” claims Kuo.
Apple updated the ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro lineup in 2021 with a wider aperture. That helped improve low-light image quality, but it was still inferior to the main camera and the competition. The larger pixels and the bigger sensor on the iPhone 14 Pro’s ultra-wide camera should further help address this.
iPhone 14 Pro set to pack major camera upgrades
Rumors have primarily focused on the iPhone 14 Pro’s new 48MP camera. The new sensor will reportedly be around 25-35% bigger, allowing it to absorb more light. These massive sensors also explain why all leaked iPhone 14 Pro CAD drawings show a massive rear camera bump.
Apple has seemingly not forgotten about the front camera as well. Kuo previously claimed that the upcoming iPhone’s front camera could gain autofocus support and an upgraded 6P lens. These improvements should lead to a noticeable jump in sharpness and video quality.
It seems Apple has significant camera upgrades planned for this year’s iPhones. Add in the new design and always-on display support, and the iPhone 14 series could be a tempting upgrade.
