Understanding Resolution vs. File Size on your iphone.

Understanding Image Resolution and File Size on Your iPhone

As an interior designer, understanding image resolution and file size  can help you take better photos of your projects and ensure they’re ready for your portfolio. Two terms that you should understand which can impact the quality and usability of your photos are image resolution and file size.

What is Image Resolution?

Image resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image—basically, how detailed or sharp the image is. The more pixels in an image, the higher the resolution, which typically means a clearer and more detailed photo.

For example, the latest iPhone models have different resolutions depending on which camera lens you use:

• The main (1x) lens has a resolution of 24 megapixels (MP). This lens captures the most detail and is great for high-quality photos of your interior designs.
• The wide-angle lens and telephoto lens have a resolution of 12 megapixels (MP) each. While these lenses capture less detail compared to the main lens, they’re still plenty sharp for publication and are best for capturing wide spaces or close-up details. 

What is File Size?

File size refers to how much space a photo takes up on your phone or computer. It’s determined by the resolution of the image, and the higher the resolution, the larger the file size. Larger files can be harder to share or upload quickly, so understanding how file sizes work is important for managing your images.

Estimated File Sizes for iPhone Camera Lenses:

While the exact file size for each lens can vary depending on factors like scene complexity and compression settings, here’s a general rule:

• 24 MP photos (like those from the main lens) will typically have a file size of around 6 MB to 8 MB per image.

12 MP photos (from the wide-angle and telephoto lenses) will generally have a smaller file size, around 2 MB to 4 MB per image.

How to check your image resolution and file size

To see what your image resolution and file size is, go into your album and simply click on the "I" information icon below your photo (circled in red)



This will allow you to see the specifics about your image. Let's look at the image below as an example. This was taken with my iphone 15 pro max.

The information shows that the photo is 24 MP (megapixels). This indicates that I used my 1x lens to take this photo. 

The resolution is 5712 x 4284 and the file size is 6.2 MB (megabites). What these numbers tell me is that this is a high quality image, more than suitable for print publication or portfolio use. It also tells me that at 6.2 MB, it will take up more storage space on my phone.

Why Do These Numbers Matter for Your Interior Photography?

Knowing the resolution and file size can help you decide how you want to shoot your photos. If you want the highest-quality images for print or portfolio work, you’ll want to use the 24 MP 1x main lens for the best detail and clarity. However, if you're just capturing behind-the-scenes shots for social media or digital files, the 12 MP lenses will be more than sufficient.

By understanding how resolution and file size impact your photos, you can better manage your iPhone’s storage and ensure your images are ready for any project or presentation.