It wasn’t until recently that iPhones started having three rear cameras. Before these newer models of iPhones, at the rear of iPhones were either one or two cameras. Although Apple still sells this configuration, even in more recent models. So, it’s worth paying attention to the iPhones that have three cameras.
The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max were the first Apple devices with three cameras. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max and the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max all come with three cameras. The primary purpose of the third camera is to provide the iPhone with a broader range of zooming possibilities and more control over the aperture.
Please note that the entry-level iPhone 11 ships with a dual-camera configuration on its rear, like the entry-level iPhone 12 and 13. Here, we will be talking about details of the camera features of all iPhones with three cameras.
So, if you’re interested in buying an iPhone with three cameras, you’ve come to the right place.
iPhones With 3 Cameras Configuration
A two-camera option at the rear of an iPhone is enough for most users. But if you’re after an option that will give you more creative control, then an iPhone with three camera options will suffice. Below is the list of iPhones with three camera options.
iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max were launched in 2019, and they were the first iPhones to feature three rear cameras. The cameras on iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are identical. The main difference between these two devices is their screen size (Pro Max is bigger than Pro).
The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max feature a standard wide-angle camera, ultra-wide-angle camera, and a telescope camera. Interestingly, each iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max camera have the exact base resolution of 12MP. But each lens has different features that make them ideal for specific conditions.
The primary wide-angle camera is a 26mm equivalent lens with a wide f/1.8 aperture which is prized for its ability to render background blurry. The ultra-wide-angle camera is a 13mm equivalent lens with an f/2.4 aperture that allows you to take better images in a low-light environment.
The telescope camera is a 55mm equivalent lens with an f/2 aperture, making zooming and photographing better by allowing for the right amount of light. Also, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max cameras give you the luxury to record video in 4k/60fps with extended stabilization and dynamic range.
iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
Apple launched the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max in 2020, and the iPhone 11 was discontinued a month before the release of the iPhone 12. Although there weren’t many changes in the overall design of the iPhone 12, you can expect more performance-wise.
The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max also come with a three-rear camera configuration consisting of the primary wide camera, ultra-wide-angle camera, and telescope camera. While the camera quality on both smartphones is identical, the Pro Max features a superior wide-angle camera and telescope camera.
The primary wide camera on both devices is a 12MP sensor with 26mm equivalent and f/1.6 aperture. But the iPhone 12 Pro comes with a 1.4-micron photo site while the Pro Max comes with a 1.7-micron photo site meaning the Pro Max lets you capture more light per pixel.
The ultra-wide camera on both devices is the same; a 12MP camera sensor with 13mm equivalent and an f/2.4 aperture lens. The telescope camera has a 12MP sensor, but the iPhone 12 Pro comes with a 55mm equivalent and f/2.0 aperture, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with a 65mm equivalent and an f/2.2 aperture.
iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max were launched in 2021 and come with a three-camera configuration: primary wide camera, ultra-wide-angle camera, and telescope camera. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max share similar camera features as their predecessor but with some improvements.
The primary wide camera on both devices has a 12MP sensor with a 26mm equivalent and f/1.5 aperture, which is faster at taking pictures than its 2020 predecessor. The ultra-wide-angle camera on both devices comes with a 12MP sensor, a 13mm equivalent, an f/1.8 aperture lens, and a PDAF autofocus technology all work together to give you the best photographing experience.
The telescope camera on both devices has a 12MP sensor, 77mm equivalent, and f/2.8 aperture, which is the perfect combination to capture pictures at up to 3x optical magnification.
Conclusion
Everything camera-related on iPhones with three cameras is pretty much the same. Except if you are a professional photographer, you would hardly see any difference in the quality of pictures.
However, if you’re aiming to buy an iPhone with three cameras, it’s always good to go for the most recent to keep up with the ever-changing technological advancement.
