The iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple’s most advanced phone yet, and there are plenty of reasons why it’s one of the most advanced. best phones in the world right now. Unfortunately, I don’t think the camera is one of those reasons.
On paper, compared to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Apple’s flagship phone seems woefully inadequate. The primary cameras on both offer similar resolutions, but the 14 Ultra has a variable aperture. The resolution of the three other cameras on the back of the 14 Ultra is 50 megapixels, while the iPhone drops all the way down to 12 MP. The iPhone also lacks a mid-range telephoto.
The camera system of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is certainly not bad when it comes to optics, but it certainly runs the risk of lagging behind the technological advances we see from Xiaomi or even the Samsung Galaxy S24Ultra.
Are there changes coming?
That’s why I’m waiting with bated breath to see what Apple will do with its iPhone 16 series phones that are likely to be launched and released in September 2024. As more and more professional photographers and videographers use their phones for their work, Apple doesn’t want anyone to abandon ship in the quest for better quality.
I don’t think it’s too late for Apple. The Cupertino company has a habit of retaining loyal customers long after the iPhone’s features have lagged behind the competition. There’s something about Apple’s design and ecosystem that keeps people coming back again and again. Nevertheless, I’d like to see some improvements to the rumored iPhone 16 Pro’s cameras.
The changes Apple needs to make
One of the most significant improvements would be to increase the resolution of the iPhone’s cameras, both front and back. 12MP is fine for snapping family photos, but it’s not great for professional work. Upping all cameras to 48MP would convey a real sense of dedication to Apple’s serious phone photography users.
I’d also like to see the introduction of a true variable aperture. I love this feature on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, as it gives me the ability to more precisely control the amount of light hitting the sensor and how that affects the bokeh. I’m less concerned about Apple expanding the rear cameras on the Pro iPhones from three to four, but if it does happen I certainly wouldn’t mind.
This is a pivotal moment for Apple. If it doesn’t improve in the iPhone 16 series, Xiaomi will undoubtedly pull further ahead, at least in my opinion. Only time will tell whether Apple sees the camera hardware as essential to development or if other priorities like Apple Intelligence will take center stage when we see the next generation of iPhones, likely at an Apple event in September.