iPhone 5 Features: 8MP camera confirmed as Apple gives sensor order to OmniVision

What features the next iPhone will have is a question that has given rise to a vast range of speculations. Over the last few months several iPhone 5 features were discussed by tech websites and in the blogosphere. Some rumors were supported by image leaks, sources from manufacturing partners while other features were thought based on what competitors offer.

Now, it looks like the 8 megapixel camera is one feature that's finally confirmed. It has been reported that OmniVision has received an order from Apple for the supply of 8 MP camera sensors.

DigiTimes has reported that OmniVision will supply about 90 percent of image sensors for the Apple iPhone 5. Sony will get only 10 percent of the pie. This should be a letdown for Sony, as it had announced a couple of months back that it would supply all of iPhone 5 camera sensors.

It's not clear as yet why Apple has turned away from Sony this time.

The addition of a high performance camera will certainly cheer up all iPhone fans, though Apple is still highly secretive on when it will release the next generation iPhone. There was no word on iPhone - its features or release date -- when CEO Steve Jobs addressed developers at WWDC in San Francisco.

Last month, an image leak had suggested that the soon-to-arrive Apple iPhone 5 will not feature a rear camera accompanied by LED flash to its right.

The image of an iPhone 5 case published by Apple.pro shows a camera flash on the far right of the rear of the new iPhone, according to AppleInsider.

Earlier still, there a video circulating on the Internet, which purportedly showed a white iPhone 5 running on an updated version of iOS. The video revealed the prospects of Apple adding full multi-tasking functionality in the new iPhone.

In March this year, iDealsChina showed in its website what it said was a leaked image of the iPhone 5 phone. The handset's screen looked larger and the hardware was bigger overall.

Earlier, in January, another Chinese technology website, Zol, posted some details of the rumored iPhone 5, with (what appear to be) concept design images. According to it, the iPhone 5 would get a new exterior and upgrades like an A4 chip, an 8 mega-pixel camera and a new version of iOS.

An image published by a Chinese reseller of Apple parts showed what looked like the digitizer panel of iPhone 5. If the image is authentic then the new iPhone will have a 4 inch display but within the same encasement, made possible by a technology that extends display over to the edges of the phone.

Tech websites have also been musing about additional gaming features in the new iPhone. There has been buzz that the next generation iPhone will leverage on the fast growing gaming market.

There is also near unanimity in gadget circles that Apple will bring its A5 chip on to the iPhone 5, which could hit stores in September this year. The buzz is that Apple will unleash the gaming performance and speed of A5 chip in the upcoming iPhone model.