Report: iPhone 6S will feature a 5MP front-facing camera

What's This?

Image: Luke Leonard / Mashable

By Ronald Chavez2015-09-03 21:41:58 UTC

There's already been a deluge of leaks surrounding the iPhone 6S, and now we might know a little more. The front-facing camera, long stuck at 1.2 megapixels, will get a big resolution bump to 5MP, according to reliable leaker KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and spotted by Macrumors.

The upped resolution won't be the only big upgrade aimed at strengthening your selfie game, according to the report. A software-based front-facing flash will supposedly make its way too. That means the screen will flash white when you hit the shutter button.

The report also said the 16, 64 and 128GB storage tiers will stick around for another year at the same $199, $299 and $399 contract prices, respectively. However, now that mobile carriers are moving away from subsidized prices, those prices won't apply to most customers. It may be more accurate to say the phones will cost $650, $750 and $850 for the iPhone 6, with $100 extra on each tier for the iPhone 6 Plus.

And in what would be a rare move for Apple, the report says the company is taking away what's been a staple of iPhone cameras for years. Right now, the rear camera's lens cover is made from sapphire. But because the sapphire lens cover has been prone to cracking, Apple may choose to go with traditional glass. Sapphire is one of earth's hardest materials, so it's less likely to scratch, but more likely to crack.

Apple tends to use 'S' cycle years for big camera upgrades. The rear camera is said to also be getting a resolution bump to 12MP, after years sitting at 8MP. The rear camera will also be capable shooting 4k video, if reports are to be believed.

Camera bumps work as strong differentiators, since the rumored upcoming iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are likely to look the same as current iPhones. The last time the iPhone's camera received a major improvement was with the iPhone 5S two years ago. That phone used a larger sensor for higher quality images and a wider aperture for better low-light performance. While the iPhone 6's camera used a new sensor for its camera, it was still more of a minor bump.

After all these reports, there's probably not much else to know about Apple's forthcoming iPhones. Other reports have said the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will use the stronger, 7000-series aluminum currently used in the Apple Watch Sport. A prominent Youtube leaker tested an aluminum shell said to be the same used in the upcoming phones and determined it was over twice as strong as ones used in current phones.

We may not be far from learning official details about the iPhone 6S from Apple itself. The company is holding an event Sept. 9 where it's expected to outline its iPhone and Apple TV plans.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Source: Report: iPhone 6S will feature a 5MP front-facing camera