Apple Patent Tips Intriguing iPhone Camera Upgrade

The iPhone's camera is no slouch, but there's always room for improvement.

A newly published patent application suggests that next-gen iPhones might include camera features we're more accustomed to seeing in high-end DSLRs.

The application, for a "small form factor telephoto camera," tips a separate lens for better-quality image capture.

"The advent of small, mobile multi-purpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, small form factor cameras for integration in the devices," Apple's application said.

But limitations in camera technology force small cameras—like the one attached to your iPhone—to capture images at lower resolutions and a lower image quality than, say, a bulky DSLR. According to the patent, filed in 2013, Apple wants to integrate a high-res telephoto camera into its pocket-sized handsets, as well as larger slates and notebooks.

Apple declined to comment on the patent. And photography fanboys shouldn't get their hopes up too high: The company often patents technologies that never show up in its products.

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As AppleInsider pointed out, if it does show up, a dual-camera setup is most likely, as it promises better-quality images.

Cupertino appears to already have its eye on a camera update. The company this month reportedly acquired Israeli camera-tech firm LinX Computational Imaging, which includes "an array of sensors" used to create 3D image maps.