Developer Hamza Sood – who discovered the “hidden” Activity app in iOS 8.2 – has dug into the iOS 9 Software development kit (SDK), and has found some code strings that indicate a much improved front-facing camera could be in the cards for future versions of the iPhone.
iOS 9 is hinting at future device front cameras having:
1080p resolution, 240fps slow mo, panoramamic capture, flash pic.twitter.com/NkMjdsUZEX— Hamza Sood (@hamzasood) June 10, 2015
While the iPhone has become the de facto the most popular camera in the world, many Android handsets have far better cameras for taking selfies. That could change soon as code strings indicate point to future iPhones with a full HD 1080p resolution capable of shooting Slow-Mo video at 240 frames per second and more.
The screenshot Sood shared on Twitter, (seen below), shows code strings in iOS 9 contain placeholders for other front-facing camera features. Those features include panoramic capture and a built-in flash.
The current flagship iPhones, the 6 and 6 Plus, are both equipped with a front-facing FaceTime camera with a rather disappointing ƒ/2.2 aperture and 720p video recording capability. Still photos captured by the front shooter come in at a measly 1,280-by-960 pixel resolution.
While it’s possible such front-facing camera improvements may never hit the device, reports late last year indicated Apple is considering improvements to the front shooter, as they have reportedly entered a $340 million agreement with Sony for new iPhone camera sensors.
