While megapixels may not be everything, a high resolution camera usually allows users to get more detail without having to sacrifice quality. This is especially beneficial when photos will have to be displayed or to undergo printing. For that matter, entry-level smartphones today have been sporting cameras with the resolution in double-digits, e.g., 10+ megapixels. This was something you used to see only with professional cameras.
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Going a tad higher to the mid-range level, and you will likely witness multiple cameras with even higher resolutions being equipped in smartphones. Nonetheless, progress has not stopped there. If you are seeking highest possible resolutions for your camera phones, this may just be the list for you.
As a disclaimer, this will only include camera phones which are currently priced in the Philippines. It is not ranked in any order, and is aimed to present at least one model for each smartphone brand available in the country.
Quad-rear cameras:
• 108MP Phase Detection F1.8 (wide)
• 12MP Dual Pixel F2.2 (ultrawide)
• 10MP Dual Pixel F4.9 (10x tele, 100x Space Zoom)
• 10MP Dual Pixel F2.4 (3x tele)
40MP Dual Pixel F2.2 front camera
Description from Samsung: The first Galaxy S with built-in S Pen. Meet Galaxy S22 Ultra, with the power of Note. Slim and bold, a polished frame surrounds the extruded shape for elegant symmetry. And the linear camera, accented by mirrored lens rings, seems to float in place.
Price: PHP 68,990 (8GB + 128GB) / PHP 72,990 (12GB + 256GB) / PHP 80,990 (12GB + 512GB)
Quad rear cameras:
• 108MP F1.9 (wide)
• 8MP F2.2 (ultrawide)
• 2MP F2.4 (macro)
• 2MP F2.4 (depth)
16MP F2.2 front camera
Description from Huawei: HUAWEI nova 9 SE comes equipped with 112° ultra-wide-angle and 4 cm macro cameras, to capture beauty, great or small. Bokeh portrait mode and a f/2.4 aperture put the spotlight on the subject, so that carefree snapshots become fascinating character studies.
Price: PHP 13,999 (8GB + 128GB)
Quad-rear cameras:
• 108MP F1.9 main
• 8MP F2.2 ultra-wide
• 2MP F2.4 macro
• 2MP F2.4 depth
16MP F2.4 front camera
Description from Xiaomi: Redmi Note 11S brings an all new flat frame design with a minimalist style that gives off a dynamic and powerful look that’s also solid and secure in your hand. Capture those beautiful moments of life with the ultimate visuals.
Price: PHP 12,999 (8GB + 128GB)
Quad-rear cameras
• 108MP F1.88 (main)
• 8MP F2.25 (ultrawide)
• 2MP F2.4 (macro)
• 2MP F2.4 (b&w)
16MP front camera
Description from realme: Inspired by the radiant and boundless universe, realme 8 Pro’s design mimics the night sky filled with a multitude of tiny stars, dreamlike and futuristic. It’s like holding infinity in your hand. But if you prefer a more mysterious and understated design, you can choose our specially created Punk Black. The 108MP camera incorporates Samsung’s ISOCELL HM2—a massive 1/1.52″ sensor featuring ISOCELL Plus pixel isolation and a maximum resolution of 12000×9000.
Price: PHP 16,999 (8GB + 128GB)
Triple-rear camera:
• 108MP (main)
• 8MP (60x periscope)
• 8MP (ultrawide and macro)
16MP front camera
Description from Infinix: With picture quality 4X clearer than FHD image and OIS tech, you’re equipped with the ability to capture both stunning vistas and extreme close-ups. A dual front flash and enhanced AI shooting technology bring out the best version of you, no matter the angle or lighting conditions.
Price: PHP 15,990 (8GB + 256 GB)
Triple-rear cameras:
• 108MP (main)
• 8MP (ultrawide)
• 2MP (depth)
32MP front camera
Description from Motorola: Exceptional camera systems, vibrant displays, next-gen performance, and striking designs. The new motorola edge 20 family pushes the boundaries of what your smartphone can do. With bold colors, beautiful designs, and matte finishes that minimize fingerprints and smudges, the edge 20 family stands out in every way.
Price: PHP 16,995 (8GB + 128GB)
Triple-rear cameras:
• 108MP (main)
• 8MP (periscope telephoto)
• 16MP (ultrawide)
32MP selfie camera
Description from Motorola: Exceptional camera systems, vibrant displays, next-gen performance, and striking designs. The new motorola edge 20 family pushes the boundaries of what your smartphone can do. With bold colors, beautiful designs, and matte finishes that minimize fingerprints and smudges, the edge 20 family stands out in every way.
Price: PHP 29,995 (12GB + 256GB)
Triple-rear cameras:
• 108MP F1.9 main
• 8MP F2.2 ultra-wide
• 2MP F2.4 macro
16MP F2.4 front camera
Description from Xiaomi: For the first time, POCO has adopted the 108MP flagship camera for photographs that are stunning and rich in detail. The super outsole boasts superior light-sensitivity, dual-native ISO and higher dynamic range for brighter brights and darker darks; as well as 9-in-1 pixel binning technology, with pixels as small as 2.1μm after binning. Discover your hidden potential and capture your most beautiful moments.
Price: PHP 16,990 (6GB + 128GB) / PHP 17,990 (8GB + 256GB)
Triple-rear cameras:
• 108MP F1.9 main
• 8MP F2.2 ultra-wide
• 2MP F2.4 macro
16MP F2.4 front camera
Description from Xiaomi: Great 108MP flagship imaging system. Three cameras work together to capture magnificent landscapes, microcosms, stunning night scenes, high-level portraits. Perfect combination of stylish camera and glass back. Slim flat-edge design is secure for holding in hands. When touching the frame, it feels very powerful.
Price: PHP 15,999 (8GB + 128GB)
Triple-rear cameras:
• 108MP F1.75 (wide)
• 8MP F2.2 (ultra-wide)
• 5MP F2.4 (telemacro)
16MP F2.45 front camera
Description from Xiaomi: Xiaomi 11T Pro empowers you to turn the cinematic moments in your everyday life into Cinemagic. This device offers the ultimate cinematic experience from stunning photography, vibrant visuals to studio-grade videography – perfect for sharing and experiencing the stories that matter to you.
Price: PHP 27,990 (8GB + 256GB) / PHP 29,990 (12GB + 256GB)
Analysis and conclusion
As early as 1999, camera phones began to enter the mainstream as Kyocera released their Visual Phone VP-210 in Japan. With a resolution of 110,000 pixels for its camera, it is a fraction of one megapixel. As observed from this particular case, the number of pixels also hold importance in the overall photo quality. Since then, camera phones have improved. Today’s race to release camera phones equipped with higher resolutions can be traced back to 2019, when Samsung was among those which developed 64-megapixel and 108-megapixel technology for phones.
The first smartphone to feature a 108-megapixel camera would not be Samsung’s, however, as Xiaomi released theirs in the same year. Entering 2022, Samsung appears to be off to develop and roll out its 200MP ISOCELL HP1 camera sensor. Then again, just how significant had cameras become as far as choosing phones are concerned?
At least one study shows that the camera is one of the serious considerations of any consumer for smartphones nowadays. However, not all sensors are created equal. This is because processing may be different even if all the camera phones cited here have the same stated number of megapixels. For one, higher resolution camera phones can utilize a method called pixel binning, which allows the combination of data into larger sets.
Think of collecting puzzle pieces into larger, easier to manage parts before merging them together to form the complete image. Some combine four pixels into one, while others go as far as nine pixels into one. This clustering technique is especially effective when sustaining performance and image quality in low light conditions.
It is not a fool-proof concept, however, which compels some to argue for lower resolution cameras with better technology. A large number of bad details could not compensate to reach the level of a smaller number of good details. In addition, despite the higher resolution available for camera phones, professional cameras partnered with the right equipment may still hold certain advantages in the near future. As to how long, perhaps only time will tell.
Among others, one could look into color data, focus, image consistency, noise, lens accuracy, light sensitivity, and sharpness. The number of cameras equipped in the phone besides the main shooter allow for additional functions as well, but as to how efficient they would be in actual practice may depend more on the user’s needs.
There are other methods being used such as oversampling and downsampling, but they will probably have to be discussed in another time for the sake of brevity. As much as mobile photography had improved, reaching theoretically the level of some DSLR cameras, one has to be judicious when examining available camera phones.
Ultimately, higher resolution would mean more data. Your photos from these camera phones will have to consume larger storage space. Some estimates show that 108MP pictures will need around 20 megabytes (MB) of space on average, as compared to 12MP pictures needing around 4MB. While some may have lower resolutions as default, e.g., 12 megapixels, opting to maximize the higher resolution of your camera phone will likely be something to ponder on in the long run.
To reiterate, camera technology for phones continue to develop and progress. Innovation should not stop only because there are issues and challenges yet to be overcome at this time. Taking these into mind, it will be up to you to decide on that next camera phone. Say cheese, anyone?
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