Apple set to finally introduce better webcams across its products, starting with next-generation MacBook Pros
The image quality that laptop webcams may become more important in the last eighteen months, but many manufacturers still use terrible sensors. Microsoft's Surface line is the only consistent exception, but Apple may be finally joining the party.
To date, Apple offers its FaceTime HD camera, 720p webcams with risible image quality compared to modern iPhone selfie cameras. According to one leaker, @dylandkt, Apple plans to bring an updated and improved webcam to its next MacBook Pro. Based on current rumours, the next MacBook Pro is in fact two models, a refreshed 16-inch option and a new 14-inch size.
Unfortunately, @dylandkt states that Apple has chosen 1080p webcams, a bare minimum improvement from FaceTime HD. While a 1080p webcam should offer noticeably better image and video quality than a 720p one, it captures images in a lower resolution than the displays in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13, both 1600p. Additionally, Apple started offering 4K selfie cameras in its iPhones a few years ago.
On the other hand, these 1080p webcams will proliferate throughout Apple's 'entire Mac lineup' going forward. Hence, we should see Apple bringing better webcams to the MacBook Air and iMac series soon enough. The MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 are expected to deliver more than just webcam upgrades, too.
