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iPhone 6S will reportedly feature 12-megapixel camera, 4K video recording

iPhone 6S will reportedly feature 12-megapixel camera, 4K video recording

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The iPhone camera is finally upping its megapixel count. 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman reports that the next major flagship from Apple will feature a 12-megapixel camera, an increase over the 8-megapixel approach the company has stuck with for years. As iPhones have kept loyal to the 8-megapixel sensor, Android makers like Sony, Samsung, and LG have produced some fairly remarkable 16-megapixel smartphone cameras. We recently pitted the new Galaxy Note 5 against the iPhone 6 Plus as just one example.

Update: Read the Apple iPhone 6S review.

But even at its lower resolution, the camera has remained one of the iPhone's standout and most beloved features — Apple promotes it heavily in marketing campaigns. Nonetheless, 2015 will apparently bring significant change. 9to5Mac says optimizations to the iPhone 6S image processing should ensure that Apple's reputation for top-notch mobile shots is preserved for its next round of phones.

iPhone 6S will also support 4K video recording, another Apple first that's become routine in premium Android smartphones. Video resolution and clarity should see a noticeable increase from the 1080p recording that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus offer, though you'll need a compatible TV if you want to watch it on a big screen. (Apple's Retina displays in Mac computers should also showcase the difference.) And Apple isn't forgetting about the front-facing iSight / FaceTime camera; 9to5Mac reports it'll be upgraded with a higher quality sensor and a new "flash" mode that really just lights up the front display in bright white for a better exposure for your selfies.