Decrease in the quantity of smartphone cameras in circulation

In the world of technology, smartphones continue to evolve at a rapid pace, and this is particularly true when it comes to their cameras. A recent report by Omdia has shed light on some fascinating trends in this area.

The average number of camera lenses on board worldwide smartphones has seen a decrease over the past year. From 3.37 in the second quarter of 2024, it dropped to 3.19 in the same quarter of 2025. However, this decrease in the number of lenses does not signify a decline in quality. Instead, it appears that manufacturers are focusing on improving the resolution of the sensors.

Rear cameras, which reached their peak popularity in 2021 with a value of 2.89, have seen a decrease from 2.37 in the second quarter of 2024 to 2.18 in the second quarter of 2025. This trend towards higher resolution is being highlighted by manufacturers in advertising.

Cameras with sensors in the 50-megapixel class accounted for 58% of smartphone shipments in the second quarter of 2025, while those with more than 100 megapixels accounted for 9%. Premium devices like the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra have at least three rear cameras, with Samsung maintaining a triple-camera setup, Apple’s Pro models including triple cameras plus LiDAR, and Google offering similar advanced multi-camera configurations.

Interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, despite having two rear cameras, is mentioned in the report as a smartphone with only one rear camera. This could be due to the Galaxy S25 Edge's primary camera having a significantly higher resolution than the secondary camera, making it the de facto main camera in practice.

The share of smartphones with only one rear camera is 21% in the second quarter of 2025, and apart from Apple's iPhone 17 Air, mainly budget devices have only one rear camera. The share of mid-range smartphones with two rear cameras is 41%, indicating a balance between cost and quality in this segment.

Advances in AI-assisted photography will continue to decrease the number of camera objectives, according to Jusy Hong, Senior Research Manager at Omdia. This is because AI can help in post-processing images to make them look better, reducing the need for multiple lenses. The reduction in camera objectives is lowering costs and creating space for larger batteries, according to Jusy Hong.

In the past five years, the share of cameras with a resolution of less than 15 megapixels has decreased from 54% to 12%. This shift towards higher resolution is a clear indication of the emphasis on image quality in today's smartphones.

In conclusion, while the number of camera lenses on smartphones may be decreasing, the resolution of these cameras is on the rise. This trend towards higher resolution, driven by advancements in AI and a focus on image quality, is set to continue in the future.