DB Labs DB Labs

What Resolution Are iPhone Photos?

By Jack Smith — Updated March 8, 2026

iPhone 15, 16, and 17 main cameras capture 48-megapixel photos at 8064 x 6048 pixels. iPhone 13 and 14 (standard models) capture 12MP at 4032 x 3024. Pro models on iPhone 15, 16, and 17 can shoot all cameras at 48MP, and support full-resolution 48MP ProRAW files up to 75 MB each.

iPhone Photo Resolution by Model

Here is a quick reference for the main wide camera resolution across recent iPhone generations:

Note that Apple's 48MP camera uses pixel-binning by default — four pixels are combined into one to produce a sharper, cleaner 12MP image. If you want the full 48MP file, shoot in ProRAW (Settings > Camera > Formats > Apple ProRAW) or choose "48MP" in Camera settings on newer models.

What Does Megapixels Actually Mean for Print and Storage?

Megapixels matter most for large prints and aggressive cropping. A 12MP photo (4032 x 3024) prints cleanly at up to 13" x 10" at 300 DPI. A 48MP photo (8064 x 6048) prints cleanly at up to 27" x 20" at 300 DPI — poster size without quality loss. For screen viewing, social media, and typical sharing, 12MP and 48MP photos look identical. The file size difference is significant though: a 12MP HEIC is ~2-3 MB, a 48MP HEIC is ~6-10 MB, and a 48MP ProRAW is ~50-75 MB.

How Resolution Affects Your Storage

If you upgraded from an iPhone 13 or 14 to a 15, 16, or 17, your photos are now 2-3x larger per shot in the 48MP default HEIC format. A camera roll of 10,000 photos that used to take 25 GB now takes 60-80 GB. This is one reason storage fills up faster after an upgrade. Understanding your camera's resolution helps you plan your iPhone storage needs accurately. Our iPhone photo statistics page has detailed data on how many photos different storage sizes can hold by model.

ProRAW vs. HEIC vs. JPEG: How Format Affects Resolution

Regardless of the megapixel count, the format you choose affects how much information is preserved. ProRAW captures the full sensor data at 48MP — ideal for professional editing but enormous files (50-75 MB each). HEIC at 48MP gives excellent quality at 6-10 MB per photo. JPEG at 12MP (Most Compatible mode) is the most universally compatible format at 3-5 MB per photo but loses the most detail. For most people, the default HEIC at 48MP is the best balance of quality and storage efficiency. See our full comparison: ProRAW vs. HEIC vs. JPEG on iPhone.

Related Articles

48MP photos fill storage fast — clean your camera roll with Swype Photo Cleaner

Download Free