Sure, the quantity of information increases, but more details about what's behind a slow, low-grade or even plastic lens does not necessarily lead to a better p

Sure, the quantity of information increases, but more details about what's behind a slow, low-grade or even plastic lens does not necessarily lead to a better photograph, just one with higher resolution. I don't doubt that a better sensor behind SLR-quality graph lets you produce better output in Photoshop. But sharper lenses with larger apertures and better autofocus systems means that when conditions aren't ideal, the same actions taken by a user result in a better photograph for no additional effort at all. I suspect part of this is because cell phone manufacturers know exactly how to throw EEs at a problem to make better electronics. That's their core competency. But the democratization of cameras with high quality senors needs to be met by the democratization of high quality optics. Right now the demand for (good) optics is pretty small, so they can continue to be rare/expensive specialty items. If OEMs want them the way Apple wanted displays in 2006, there's a decent chance the market could make it happen.