[jogiba]

Apple's iPhone 6 could feature Sony's Exmor IMX220 camera sensor, according to a post on Chinese Sony enthusiast forum Digi-Wo (Google Translate, via G for Games). The Exmor IMX220 features a 13-megapixel, 1/2.3'' sensor and can record videos in 1080p. The sensor would also be a sizable improvement over the camera currently in the iPhone 5s, which uses an 8-megapixel, 1/3.2'' sensor.

Past rumors have suggested that the iPhone 6 will retain the same 8-megapixel sensor found in the iPhone 5s, with Apple instead choosing to offer improved image stabilization for more clear photos. A report last month also noted that an optical image stabilization system will be exclusively featured in the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6, while the smaller 4.7-inch version utilizes an improved lens module.

Notably however, the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5s have used incremental versions of Sony's IMX145 sensor, as Apple could choose implement a new sensor from the company for the iPhone 6. Sony is also expected to use a 20-megapixel version of the IMX220 in its Sony Xperia Z3 flagship device that is slated to ship later this year.

While Digi-Wo does not have a track record with Apple-related rumors, the website has offered accurate information on past Sony products before their release, and recently offered leaked photos of the Xperia Z3.

Apple's iPhone 6 is expected to be announced this fall at a special media event. The device is expected to come in two sizes of 4.7 and 5.5-inches, although it is not known if the larger sized iPhone 6 will ship alongside the smaller version. In addition to an improved camera, the iPhone 6 will feature a thinner profile, a faster A8 processor, and Apple's new iOS 8 mobile operating system.

iPhone 6 Said to Feature Sony's 13-Megapixel Exmor IMX220 Camera Sensor - Mac Rumors

As a result, the iPhone maker is well positioned for another impressive performance in fiscal year 2014, likely clearing some 172 million iPhones in closing the period, Reitzes said. Going to FY-2015, the momentum from the previous year will surely be sustained and will lead to total sales of 197 million iPhones, the analyst added.

iPhone 6 Release Date Will Banner Apple?s 197M Unit Sales for FY2015; iWatch to Clear 60M ? Analysts - International Business Times

197 million iPhone 6 cameras predicted to be sold in 2015 !

[EarlVonTapia]

What I'm excited for in the mobile front is RAW capability.

Being able to shoot RAW natively without any need for hacking/rooting or apps is coming to Android in the fall, and it's probably going to cause me to upgrade my phone at that time.

Android L 5.0 Brings RAW Support, Manual Controls and More to Mobile Shooters

[jogiba]

Other than larger displays, the iPhone 6 is expected to include a thinner, iPod touch-like design, an A8 processor, and an improved camera, potentially measuring 13 megapixels. The larger model is expected to come with a $100 price increase, optical image stabilization and greater storage capability.

4.7-Inch iPhone 6 Set to Begin Mass Production This Month, 5.5-Inch in August - Mac Rumors


Mass production of a 4.7-inch successor to the wildly popular iPhone 5 series of smartphones will begin during the third week of July, Taiwan's Economic Daily News said, without citing sources. Production of a 5.5-inch version will begin during the second week of August, it said.

If the 5.5" version has optical image stabilization with 4K that would be great.

[jogiba]

Apple is asking its suppliers to manufacture a massive number of 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhones in anticipation of high consumer demand, reports The Wall Street Journal. The company is seeking between 70 and 80 million units combined of the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 by December, its largest order to date and a major jump from last year, where it ordered between 50 and 60 million iPhone 5s and 5c models.

Its forecast for what is commonly called the iPhone 6 is significantly larger than the initial order last year of between 50 million and 60 million versions of the iPhone 5S and 5C--which had a display measuring 4-inches diagonally, these people said. Both of the coming models are expected to feature metal cases similar to the iPhone 5S and likely come in multiple colors, these people said.

With high iPhone 6 numbers, Apple is likely hoping to avoid the supply/demand crisis it saw last year with the iPhone 5s. After the iPhone 5s launched in September of 2013, Apple saw unexpectedly high demand for the flagship device, likely due to its new Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The phone was in short supply for much of 2013, and Tim Cook later admitted that Apple had expected a more balanced demand between the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c.


Demand for the iPhone 6 will likely be extremely high, as it marks both a redesign and the introduction of a larger screen, a long-awaited feature that could cause a massive spike in upgrades from both iPhone upgraders and those switching from Android. According to analyst estimates, Apple could see a 15 to 20 percent jump in unit sales year over year.

Apple partners Foxconn and Pegatron are said to be hiring massive numbers of new employees to help assemble the iPhone 6, with main supplier Foxconn taking on an additional 100,000 employees and Pegatron adding 10,000.

The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is expected to enter production in July, while production on the 5.5-inch version will begin in August or September. At this time, it remains unclear if the two iPhone 6 models will launch simultaneously, as rumors have suggested production issues may push back the launch of the 5.5-inch iPhone to late 2014 or early 2015.

In-cell display technology for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 has been said to be causing significant problems and The Wall Street Journal suggests there may be additional complications if the larger device also uses a sapphire display. Apple is reportedly asking component makers to prepare enough parts for up to 120 million iPhone 6 models in order to compensate for high failure rates.

Apple Preparing Between 70 and 80 Million 4.7 and 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 Units to Meet High Consumer Demand - Mac Rumors


4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 mockups compared to iPhone 5s

[reeftool]

I have no complaints with the camera in my iPhone 5s, at least in regards to the current sensor. It does a fine job with exposure and is quite sharp. From what I have read, they used a slightly larger sensor in the 5s but still 8 megapixels. The result, better IQ and less noise but lacking on that all important spec sheet that people who don't know their *** from a hole in the ground love to complain about. I can always rely on my iPhone to deliver a crisp, clear shot as long a I don't screw it up.

There have been endless discussions over megapixels for years. There are a few right here in this section questioning why Nikon's top of the line camera has less megapixels than it's lower priced offerings. Got to have that impressive spec sheet! Of course, that means more memory usage, slower operation and shorter battery life but those things don't matter. Megapixels are what sells and keeps the stock analysts from predicting doom and gloom.