The next-generation Apple iPhone will likely have an upgraded front camera with autofocus (AF) capabilities and a wider aperture. This news came from the famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Unlike Apple’s current fixed focus design, the front camera with AF can allow the iPhone 14 to take clearer pictures if the user is near or far from the camera.
On the other hand, a wider aperture will add a better touch of background blur and allow more light to enter. Kuo predicts the iPhone 14 will come with an aperture value of f/1.9 compared to f/2.2 on the iPhone 13. This is slightly better for night selfies or FaceTime portrait modes.
Reporting from The Verge (20/4), Kuo and others have predicted that Apple will eliminate the notch on the iPhone 14 Pro, instead opting for a punch-hole design. While that means Apple will have to fit the upgraded camera into a smaller space, it’s not an unprecedented challenge.
The selfie camera on the Samsung Galaxy S22 has AF in a small punch-hole. However, even though Samsung has had a front camera with AF for years, this is not a common feature that all flagship phones share. The selfie camera in Google’s latest flagship and OnePlus has fixed focus.
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The front camera of four new iPhone 14 models in 2H22 would likely upgrade to AF (autofocus) & about f/1.9 aperture (vs. iPhone 13's FF (fixed-focus) and f/2.2).— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) April 19, 2022
Kuo’s tweet says that the upgraded front camera could come to the four new iPhone 14 models. This implies that Apple will not use better selfies as a selling point for its Pro series phones. This is pretty good, especially amid rumors that the iPhone 14 will have an A16 series processor, while the current-generation A15 processor will power the regular model, and that Apple will also increase the rear camera resolution for high-end phones.
While the current iPhone’s front camera is of good quality, there may be a few things to note. Apple brought night mode to selfie cameras starting with the iPhone 12, but the company hasn’t increased its aperture since the iPhone 6.
