Apple may be developing an in-house image sensor for future iPhones that could deliver human eye-level dynamic range, according to a recent U.S. patent filing and insider reports.
The sensor, outlined in a patent titled “Image Sensor With Stacked Pixels Having High Dynamic Range And Low Noise,” aims to capture up to 20 stops of dynamic range, a figure that rivals the natural visual range of the human eye and surpasses today’s smartphone and even cinema-grade cameras.
The sensor uses a stacked architecture combining light detection and image processing layers. It also introduces LOFIC technology, allowing pixels to adjust to varying brightness levels, and real-time noise suppression for sharper low-light images.
While most iPhones currently rely on Sony sensors, sources say Apple is testing prototypes of this new system internally. The move mirrors Apple’s broader push to replace third-party components with custom designs.
If launched, this innovation could significantly elevate iPhone photography, offering unprecedented detail, low-light performance, and visual realism.
