Just guessing:

- it's a component of the Face ID authentication scheme

- they don't want people using iPhones with sub-par camera's posting on social media

- they don't want iPhones with sub-par camera's on the second hand market

Then don't let it take sub-par cameras. I don't give a rats ass about serialized components as long as I can still buy and install the factory parts.

The cameras have nothing to do with face ID, and its not just that 3rd parts cameras arent compatable, but even oem cameras arent without access to apple's systems called ast2 and gsx

> Okay, then why is the camera serialized and not the battery (which, incidentally, you CAN replace on the iPhone 12)?

on my macbook I can see the battery serial number in System Information under the Power section and the camera unique ID under the Camera section. not sure why it would be any different on the iphone.