Apple iPhone 5S could get improved 12MP camera

The iPhone 5S will most probably wield a 12MP camera with improved night photography and HDR, according to a Vietnamese source that works with an Apple supplier. Vietnamese blog Tinhte was informed about the changes to the iPhone 5S from the source who works for Wonderful Saigon Electrics, a company that supplies camera modules to Apple.

MacRumors points out that upgraded cameras have always been introduced with the ‘S’ iPhone models. The iPhone 5 had the same 8MP camera as the iPhone 4S, while the iPhone 4 had a 5MP shooter. Tinhte, the blog that published this rumour, has a history of accuracy and it seems likely that this time around too, the rumours will be confirmed at launch. After all, most flagship Android smartphones that the iPhone 5S will be competing with already sport 12MP cameras.

In our opinion, though Apple is likely is launch an iPhone with a 12MP camera, it seems like a decision that’s primarily for marketing reasons. After all, the megapixel count is not really all that important and we’d rather see Apple improve the sensor and the overall camera performance than just up the megapixel count. However, the Cupertino company can’t really be blamed for doing so because thanks to the marketing din unleashed by companies during a phone launch, users have started equating megapixel count to camera quality, which isn’t completely accurate. As a result, Apple will feel forced to launch a 12MP camera just to be seen as being competitive with the likes of Samsung, HTC and Nokia, most of whose flagship phones sport 12MP or higher cameras.