Let's start with the basics. One megapixel is one million pixels in a photo. The more of them there are, the greater the theoretical detail of the photo. In practice, this is important when printing large-format photos or when we plan to make huge enlargements.
But every day? We mainly view photos on the phone screen, and there the differences between 48 Mpx and 108 Mpx are – to put it mildly – hardly noticeable. On the screen laptop or TV is easier, but it's still not a very spectacular effect. That's why, in more expensive phones, manufacturers don't rush into the megapixel race, they just invest in them thingswhich really affect the quality of the photos.
Why do cheaper phones have more megapixels?
It's simple: marketing. Large numbers look great on advertisements or in stores websites. The manufacturer states informationthat a smartphone for less than PLN 1,000 has as much as “108 Mpx” and wants the consumer to think that the camera in a given device is better than that of the one for PLN 3,000 with 64 Mpx. Meanwhile these megapixels are often the result of compromises, because cheap phones save on other key camera elements.
What exactly is behind these trade-offs?
- Matrix size
This is one of the most important elements of the camera. Cheaper phones have smaller matrices, which means the camera captures less light. Effect? Worse photos, especially in low light. More expensive models have larger matrices, so they perform well in more difficult conditions. - Pixel size
In cheap smartphones, the pixels are usually smaller. Smaller pixels also collect less light, leading to noisier photos, especially at night. Flagships rely on larger pixels, which gives brighter and sharper photos. - Pixel binning
Budget phones often use technology that combines several pixels into one. On paper, the camera has 108 Mpx, but in practice the photos have the quality of a 32 Mpx matrix or even smaller.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a smartphone camera?
Instead of looking only at megapixels, it is better to look at other parameters that really affect photos:
- Stop: A lower value (e.g. f/1.8) means the camera performs better in low light.
- Image processing system: Advanced algorithms in premium phones can extract more details from the matrix and improve colors.
- Stabilization: Cameras with optical image stabilization (OIS) ensure sharp photos even with shaky hands or while moving.
- Sensor size: A larger sensor means more detail and less noise in photos.
Why do expensive smartphones have fewer megapixels?
Comprehensive photo quality is a priority in premium smartphonesnot just the number of megapixels. Manufacturers are investing in advanced technologies such as larger matrices, better lenses and image processing algorithms.
More megapixels does not always mean better photos. In cheap phones, this number is more of a marketing gimmick than a real value. The quality of photos is determined by many other elements: matrix size, optics, image processing. That's why more expensive smartphones, although they have fewer megapixels, actually outperform budget models in every situation – from night photos to portrait photography.