What is camera megapixels (MP)?

Camera megapixels (MP) is the number of pixels a camera captures in a photo, affecting image size and detail when you zoom in.

Camera megapixels (MP) refers to how many millions of pixels make up a photo. One megapixel equals one million pixels. The higher the megapixels, the more detail the camera can record, and the larger the photo file will be.

In daily use, the difference between 12MP and 48MP may not be obvious in regular photos you share on social media. But when you zoom in or print a large photo, higher megapixels show more detail. High megapixels also let you crop a photo without losing much quality.

When buying, don't look at megapixels alone. Cameras with 12 to 16MP are enough for most users. If you love photography or printing, look for 48MP, 64MP, or more. But remember, image quality also depends on sensor size, lens quality, and image processing—not just megapixels.

More terms

AMOLED / OLED displayAn OLED screen is a display where each pixel lights up on its own, and AMOLED is an advanced version commonly used in phones.LTPO displayAn LTPO display is a type of smartphone screen that saves battery life by automatically changing its refresh rate based on what is shown on screen.Refresh rate (Hz)Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws the image, measured in hertz (Hz).Brightness (nits)Screen brightness in nits measures how much light a display emits, and a higher number means a clearer screen in bright conditions.Resolution and PPIResolution is the number of pixels on the screen, and PPI is how many pixels fit in one inch, so higher numbers mean a sharper picture.Gorilla Glass and screen protectionGorilla Glass is a type of toughened glass used on phone screens to resist scratches and impacts, while screen protection covers anything that reduces the risk of screen damage.