You may have opened up your Mac's camera and cringed at the output you saw on the screen. And you begin to wonder why Apple, of all tech companies, has used such a poor camera on the Mac—one of its leading product lines.

The answer isn't so straightforward, but it might make sense when you consider it logically. Below, we've explained why you may think the built-in webcam on a Mac isn't up to today's standards.

720p Resolution Isn't Good Enough

Portrait mode activated on FaceTime video

We generally classify video cameras based on their resolutions. Therefore, a camera that shoots with a 1280x720 pixel resolution is called a 720p video camera. Most modern Macs, including the M1 MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro, capture footage at 720p, which simply isn't the best.

While 720p is still classified as "HD," it is now considered at the lower end of the HD spectrum since better 1080p and 4K webcams are available on a wide range of devices.

For context, the iPhone X's main camera can shoot at 4K, while it has a 1080p camera in front. A phone made in 2017 has better cameras than any MacBook released to date. This is one of the reasons why the iPhone X is still a great buy.

It's worth noting that some MacBooks do come with 1080p cameras, such as the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air. Apple has left the "higher-end" camera for people who are willing to pay more money for it. But since most people use the more affordable Macs, the general Mac experience is the default 720p camera.

Outdated MacBooks Can't Keep Up

Older MacBook Air sitting with its lid open

If you're using a Mac dating as far back as 2011, you would have a 720p webcam. But various factors apart from the resolution separate a good camera from a bad one. You must consider other technology like the lens, sensor, and image processing software.

Apple has honed its craft a lot over the years—especially when it comes to software. Unfortunately, most older Macs don't support new Apple software. So, if you want to enjoy a better webcam, it might be time to trade in your old Mac for a new one.

Camera Size Matters

A black camera lens

There's a reason why the iPhone Pro models typically have more camera lenses and a "stockier" build than their standard counterparts. And that's because the size of the hardware matters.

Take a look at the side profile of your MacBook's screen with the lid open; you'll see that it's slimmer than any iPhone ever made. How is it going to fit a powerful camera into that screen without ruining the sleek, balanced design we love MacBooks for? The same logic applies to iMacs which pack powerful CPUs and cooling mechanisms behind the display.

In photography, there are two major hardware components for quality and vision: the imaging sensor and the lens. A big image sensor means a better ability to absorb light, and a big lens means a better ability to gather light. As long as it's a challenge for Apple to fit large camera components into the Mac comfortably, the webcams will continue to be relatively bad.

Apple Prioritizes Camera Quality in Other Products

Black iPhone on a black background

Rather than make bulky, weird-shaped Macs to accommodate a good camera, Apple has decided to focus its energy on something it has already excelled in: the iPhone.

When you outline the uses of a computer, filming videos and taking pictures will rank nowhere near the top of that list. Whereas they probably rank top three on a smartphone. It's simply a matter of prioritizing technology where it's most needed.

In fact, Apple has made the difference official with Continuity Camera, a feature that lets you use your iPhone's camera as a webcam on your Mac. If you own an iPhone XR (or later) with iOS 16 and a Mac with macOS Ventura, you can replace your Mac's subpar webcam with your iPhone's camera.

Good Cameras Cost Money

Multiple US one-dollar bills scattered across a surface

If Apple decides to bite the bullet and put the best camera in all its Macs, you probably would not be able to afford a Mac at all. The research and development needed to fit all those large components into a Mac without compromising something else will cost Apple a lot of money, which will reflect in the pricing.

Not to mention the cost of hardware as well. More sophisticated, larger components will cost more to source, driving up the price of Macs. Considering Macs are already expensive, further increasing the cost could cause Apple to lose buyers to cheaper competition.

High-End Macs Have Better Webcams

As we mentioned earlier, some premium Macs sport 1080p cameras that could compete with phones of the previous generations. They work well for what you need them for, whether it's the occasional meeting or a live test session. So, consider upgrading to a high-end Mac if webcam quality is your top priority.

You should also bear in mind that there are many things you can do to improve the camera on your current Mac. You can try better lighting, use Portrait mode in FaceTime, or clean the camera. If you're still unsatisfied, you can always get an external webcam—or simply use your iPhone.