Apple's iPhone is among the most popular cameras in the world, and if the rumours are correct, the team at Cupertino might give us a few million more reasons to love the camera in the next iteration of the phone.
MacRumors is citing Vietnamese blog Tinthe.vn as reporting that the camera in the next iPhone (iPhone 5S?) will have a 12-megapixel sensor and improved low-light photography.
The information comes along the grapevine from a source at the cheerily named Wonderful Saigon Electrics, which has a hand in supplying camera modules for the iPhone.
While this chain of informants may seem less than credible, the rumours do add up. The "S" release of the iPhone have tended to focus on secondary features like the camera, rather than core aspects of the phone, like its physical design or the screen.
Year of the camera
It also makes sense to focus on upgrading the camera, as it is becoming one of the key differentiating features of the iPhone over its many Android-powered competitors. Apple may be losing a foothold in considerations like performance and value for money, the iPhone camera is still among the best in its class.
Improved low-light photography would be a big win for the iPhone as this is an area most smartphones really struggle. The HTC One is one of the exceptions out at this time, with great low-light photos coming from the phone's 'ultrapixel' sensor design.
In contrast, LG and Samsung have focused more on features than quality. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with an option to use the front-facing camera at the same time as the rear camera to add the photographers face into a group shot with friends. Needless to say, this is just creepy.