Why Is My iPhone Sending Small Pictures?

Older iPhone models have a camera with a smaller image resolution than the iPhone 4's 5-megapixel camera, which produces images of approximately 2,500-by-1,900 pixels. The first-generation iPhone has a 2 megapixel camera, and the iPhone 3GS has a 3 megapixel camera, which both produce photos that are significantly smaller than the iPhone 4. If you are comparing the size of photos sent with an older iPhone model to an iPhone 4, a clear difference in size is evident.

The iPhone allows you to send photos via email or multimedia message (MMS), although first-generation iPhones are not compatible with multimedia messaging. When you send photos through MMS, you cannot choose the size; your iPhone automatically resizes and optimizes your photo for the message.

When you email photos with the iPhone, it gives you the option to choose which size you want to send. Tap your "Photos" app icon to access your photo library, then tap the small arrow in the bottom-left corner. Select the photos you want to share, then tap "Email." This is when your iPhone gives you a choice between small, medium, large and actual size. Choose "Actual Size" to send the photo in full resolution.

If you use third-party photo applications to take pictures or edit photos on your iPhone, the application settings could be making your photos small. First, check within the application to see if the settings allow you to switch to full resolution. If you don't find it there, exit the application by pressing the "Home" key, then tap on your "Settings" icon. Scroll down to your third-party applications and look for the photo application in question. You should be able to change the output resolution if the application is listed.