Apple Inc. (AAPL): Is a 12 MP Camera a Game Changer for iPhone 5S?

As Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) beats analysts’ expectations in its most recent quarterly earnings report – and the stock shoots up 5 percent in after-hours trading to the $420 level – there has been relatively little talk about the newest iPhone. There have been all kinds of rumors that a 5S is coming out, plus a low-budget iPhone model. But with the latest talk signaling delays in production of the various devices, it makes anything verifiable more difficult.

But beyond that, what many are looking for from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is some kind of significant upgrade, if not innovation, with the newest iPhone compared to this last model. The question might be, would a camera with 50 percent more resolution capability help drum up more sales of the iPhone? Could that be a game-changing refresher for Cupertino?

While many rumors are swirling – and with no real guidance from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) at this point – there is one speculationthat seems to be somewhat concrete in terms of specifics. Apple may be introducing a 12-megapixel camera in its newest iPhone iteration, which would be a 50-percent premium on the iPhone 5, which had just an 8-megapixel snapper. While the 8MP camera was one of the best on the market inside any smartphone, it seemed to have problems in low light and it did not have any image-stabilization technology like some current handsets made by HTC and Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK).

However, talk is that this new 12MP camera will not only have better resolution for all photos, but it woulc provide some better  low-light  results and it would come with high-definition video recording capability. With smartphones camera being the way nowadays instead of  separate digital camera device, and with smartphones being used for pictures more and more, what do you think? Would a revamped and upgraded camera be enough to help the next iPhone secure strong sales, or do you see this as just the beginning? We’d like your thoughts in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.