iPhone 6 Features to Retain 8 MP Rear Camera But to Improve Optical Image Stabilisation, Says Analysts

No pixel upgrade may be seen on iPhone 6's camera, as a supplier said that the handset will retain its 8 MP camera but with improved optical image stabilisation.

Taiwanese publication The China Post cited Nomura analysts saying that the iPhone 6 camera will not have 16 MP but will keep the 8-MP rear shooter of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. The major change that may be seen in the shooter is that optical image stabilisation will be improved to deliver better photos.

The rumour caused the shares of Apple camera module supplier Largan Precision to plummet. The report continued that Apple's decision to keep the same camera is to make the device more portable. This is supported by rumours that the iPhone 6 will be thinner than the iPhone 5S following the footsteps of iPad Air. However, Apple has not confirmed if this rumour is true.

It was thought that the iPhone 6 features may include a refocusable light camera. This is supported by a patent awarded to Apple spotted by Apple Insider. The company obtained a patent describing a Lytro-like camera, which is an innovative device and technology that enables users to refocus their pictures, giving photos more life compared to the traditional 2-D picture.

The patent describes "a digital camera system configurable to operate in a low-resolution refocusable mode and a high-resolution non-refocusable mode comprising: a camera body; an image sensor mounted in the camera body having a plurality of sensor pixels for capturing a digital image".

Apple Insider also stated that the late Steve Jobs showed interest in such light-field camera during its development and even invited its developer Ren Ng in Apple's headquarters in California to demonstrate the product.

Other rumoured iPhone 6 features are a bigger screen display, A8 processor and iOS 8. The handset will pack a TouchID fingerprint sensor with new capabilities. Siri may also get a facelift. The screen display may be curved or flexible with sapphire glass covering. The iPhone 6 is expected to arrive in September, but rumours claimed that an iPhone with 5.7-inch or bigger screen panel will be introduced in May.