There was a time when smartphone makers packed phones with as many cameras as possible. At one point, we saw four lenses on the back, even though some were just a nameplate with no proper real-world use case. This trend quickly caught up and became a marketing circus. This felt like it could go on for a while. However, new research suggests otherwise, as smartphones are shipping with fewer cameras.

Smartphones lately are shipped with fewer cameras

The latest report from market tracker Omdia (via Business Wire) shows that phones sold in the second quarter of 2025 averaged 3.19 lenses across the front and back. This apparently is down from 3.37, a year ago. This is also the 13th straight quarter that this number has dropped since its peak back in early 2021.

The change applies entirely to the rear cameras, as no brand would let go of the single selfie camera. The trend is now just two cameras on the back, which account for 41% of shipments last quarter. Meanwhile, triple cameras came close at 36%, while phones with a single camera lens are at 21%. This is thanks to models like the iPhone 16e. Apple is also gearing up to unveil the iPhone 17 Air, which is also rumoured to get a single lens on the back.

Omdia reports that 50MP sensors now dominate the segment with 58% of all shipments. The cameras above 100MP stand at 9%. Low-res sensors are out of fashion now, and the research speaks. Lenses under 15MP are on a steep decline, dropping to just 12% of shipments compared to more than half of all phones five years ago.

Advancements in mobile photography

This data tunes with what we’ve been seeing in the latest flagships. Smartphones are now arriving with fewer cameras than they used to. It’s as if brands now prefer quality over quantity. Technology advancements in mobile photography could be another reason for this shift. 

Many of the desired results that were once possible with hardware are now possible with software. We now have handy features like AI-powered prowess, in-sensor zoom, improvements to HDR, and many more.
The post Research shows Smartphones are now taking the fewer cameras route appeared first on Android Headlines.

Source: ndroidheadlines.com