Is the Race for Smartphone Camera Megapixels Over?
September 24, 2013 Leave a comment
Sep 23, 2013
Is the Race for Smartphone Camera Megapixels Over?
The abbreviation µm (micron) is probably a lot more obscure to the average smartphone user than MP (megapixel). It may become more familiar, as some smartphone makers have been saying they no longer care so much about higher pixel count, or megapixels. Several high-end smartphone makers are focusing this year on different camera measures such as the size of the pixel, or µm. Apple Inc. and HTC Corp.2498.TW +0.72%both launched their premium phones this year with larger pixels, not more. While Apple kept the same pixel count as last year, HTC actually halved its pixel count on its flagship phone, arguing that having fewer pixels allows room for larger ones that capture more light.“It is not a race of the megapixels anymore,” said CK Lu, Gartner principal research analyst in Taipei. “Some phone makers are deciding to make bigger pixels instead, which is a tradeoff, but results in better quality pictures in low light.” HTC was the first to trot out the word “micron,” decking out its flagship One device with an “UltraPixel” camera that was only 4 MP – compared to the iPhone 5S’s 8 MP and the Samsung Galaxy S4’s 13 MP – but with pixels 2.0 micron in size, far larger than competitors.
Apple made a similar play with the iPhone 5S. At the launch earlier this month, marketing chief Phil Schiller said, “We know a secret that bigger pixels offer better pictures.” While this has never been a secret for those who have studied camera mechanics, it is new that smartphone companies are choosing to push pixel size.
Of course, some smartphone companies are betting on the opposite tack. Most notably,Nokia Corp.NOK1V.HE +2.46% unveiled its Lumia 1020 this year with a whopping 41-megapixel camera, which it is touting for its powerful zoom and flash. The trade-off is that it’s a lot heavier, 5.56 oz. compared to the iPhone 5S’s 3.95 oz.
Analysts say that while smartphone camera megapixels will likely continue rising as technology improvements allow for greater power in lighter devices, it is no longer a straightforward numbers race like before.
“Some of the lower-end companies will continue to focus on just megapixels, but higher-end smartphone makers are looking for other features to differentiate their cameras,” said Barclays analyst Dale Gai.
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