An interesting bit of code was discovered inside the recent iOS 7 betas by 9to5Mac that suggests a new camera feature coming in the next-generation iPhone, rumored to be the iPhone 5S. The camera feature, codenamed Mogul, will allow for 120fps (frames per second) video recording.
120 fps captures so many frames per second so that if the video is slowed down, it would still be a smooth clip, thereby providing the effect of slower motion. Basically, it looks like Apple will offer a new slow-motion feature in the iPhone 5S, which is due for release in the fall. The resolution of the video could not be determined from the code though, so slow-motion 120fps may not necessarily mean HD quality.
The “S” upgrades of iPhones (iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4S, possibly iPhone 5S) in addition to speed improvements typically got camera improvements, so this would follow the trend Apple has already set. iOS 7 already adds the ability to apply one of eight filters to a photo, plus take a square Instagram-esque photo. Plus, a recent leak points to dual-LED flash on the iPhone 5S as well.
Slow-motion video is hardly new to the smartphone market, however. Arguably the iPhone’s biggest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S4 features a similar 120fps slow-motion video recording mode, as does the Samsung Galaxy Camera.