Apple’s Blockbuster ‘F1’ Inspired a Custom iPhone Camera
Credit: Formula1.com
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We’re 10 days away from the theatrical release of Apple Original Films’ summer blockbuster, F1. The film’s stars include Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem. F1 premiered yesterday at the Radio City Music Hall in NYC ahead of its June 27 release, the same weekend as F1’s Austrian Grand Prix.
The film’s producers include Brad Pitt, current Ferrari F1 driver (formerly Mercedes) and superstar Lewis Hamilton, and Jerry Bruckheimer. Bruckheimer was behind classics like Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun (and Top Gun: Maverick), Bad Boys, Dangerous Minds, The Rock, Armageddon, Remember the Titans, Black Hawk Down, National Treasure, and Pirates of the Caribbean. F1 was directed by Joesph Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick. This movie looks fun! Do you want to see it yet?
Despite F1’s star power and the rumored (but disputed) claims that its production budget was upwards of $300 million, there’s another reason for Apple fans to tune in. According to Wired, the demands of F1’s director and cinematographer weren’t met by the standard camera module in F1 cars that’s used to broadcast footage for TV. This camera simply wasn’t fit for the big screen (or IMAX). Apple’s engineering team stepped up to the plate and designed a custom camera module powered by iPhone parts.
The Apple-engineered camera module looks identical to the original module. That’s intentional. The module’s specifications had to match those of the original module so as not to alter the car’s overall specifications. Apple engineers not only had to deliver higher quality footage but also had to design for the rigors of surviving an F1 race — shock, vibrations, and heat. Apparently, Apple even exceeded the durability standards provided by Formula One.
The guts of the module included an iPhone camera sensor, an A-series chip, and an iPhone battery. According to Wired, the system matches the specs of the 48-megapixel camera system used in the iPhone 15 Pro. The module was controlled by an iPad connected via USB-C.
What’s even more fascinating is that just like F1 technology often makes its way into vehicles, technology from this Apple-engineered camera module made its way to the iPhone 15 Pro. According to Wired, the iPhone 15 Pro features log encoding and support for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) color workflow from the F1-specific camera module. Pretty Amazing.
Earlier this year, F1 TV launched a premium subscription that’s only available on iOS and tvOS and compatible devices, as well as Google Chrome (not yet available on Android or web browsers other than Chrome). This premium subscription is “…one of the most sophisticated streaming platforms in sports,” according to Formula 1’s Chief Media Rights and Broadcasting Officer. It’s not certain if Apple’s camera modules are the onboard cameras used for this subscription package, but maybe.
Formula 1 fan or not, this movie promises loads of entertainment. It’s also one of the few films to be shot, at least partially, on an iPhone. F1 definitely cheats a bit in this department. Not all films have the luxury of Apple customizing cameras for the perfect shot. That’s some of what’s likely to make F1 special. We can’t wait.
