Apple to Open Imaging Research Lab in Grenoble, France

iphonesecameraApple plans to open a research laboratory in Grenoble, France focused on developing improved imaging sensors and techniques for its iOS devices, according to French newspaper Dauphiné Libéré, with details shared by iPhon.fr [Google Translate].

Apple has had a team of more than a dozen researchers and engineers working on imaging research and development for more than a year at the Minatec European research center, and recently signed a lease to establish its own research laboratory in Grenoble.

The new facility, located on Rue Ampere, will give Apple the space to hire additional researchers and it will allow the company to provide its research team with specialized equipment for sensor development. Apple plans to have approximately 30 engineers working at the research lab, which will span 800 square meters.

According to the newspaper, Apple's work on sensors for the iPhone and iPad will be done in collaboration with engineers from Apple partner STMicroelectronics, which has supplied components for Apple devices in the past.

With the iPhone positioned as the most popular point-and-shoot camera in the world, Apple has invested a lot of resources into continual improvements, introducing better image quality with each iteration of the device. This year, we may see some of the biggest image improvements yet, as Apple is expected to introduce a camera with a larger sensor in the iPhone 7 and a dual-lens camera setup in the iPhone 7 Plus.

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
android iphone airdrop quickshare

iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

Thursday November 20, 2025 9:47 am PST by
Google today announced a new cross-platform feature that allows for file sharing between iPhone and Android users. With AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Pixel 10 devices, there is a new file transfer function available. The file sharing option works on Apple devices that include iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold....

Top Rated Comments

Thunderhawks Avatar
122 months ago
Apple opens all research facilities overseas these days.
Other countries and parts of the world have smart people too.

An international outlook or option can't hurt.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glassed Silver Avatar
122 months ago
And when you're done taking all these beautiful photos you store them in the joke of an application that is Apple Photos, reminiscing about Aperture and boy, even iPhoto to some extend.

Understood.

Glassed Silver:mac
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacDarcy Avatar
122 months ago
As a travel blogger who ditched his heavy dslr & lenses for an iPhone to take all my pictures with, this news makes me very happy. Better sensors are needed for better pics. I'm probably one of the few excited for the iPhone 7 just because of the dual lens camera.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
122 months ago
Maybe they'll look into a camera without a bulge. You know Ive must cringe every time he sees it on his otherwise svelte products
Can't change physics.... light need to travel distance and be captured without interference. How can that be done on a totally flat surface? One day they will get it, but until then, a slight "tunnel" is needed for the mechanics.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_MIA Avatar
122 months ago
I don't get why when I've compared Samsungs S's camera shots vs iPhones they always appear clearer and nicer. And those phones cameras seem to capture pictures easier meaning less fuzzy pictures. Is it just me or is this true?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
122 months ago
Apple has barely any R&D outside of Cupertino, as this is one of their weaknesses.
Apple has R&D going on all over the world.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)