Evan BrooksAs Apple's highly anticipated special event draws near, set to take place on Tuesday, September 10, the wait for the latest iPhones and Apple Watches is finally coming to an end.
Speculation has been rife for months about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro series, but details about the camera systems have remained shrouded in secrecy – until now. According to a report by AppleInsider, each of the new handsets is expected to boast cutting-edge camera specifications. While some features will remain unchanged, mirroring those of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, respectively, others will receive a significant overhaul.
The more affordable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to feature dual rear cameras. The primary wide-angle camera will offer 1x and 2x zoom capabilities, while the secondary ultra-wide-angle camera will boast a 0.5x zoom. As previously rumored, the cameras will be stacked vertically, a departure from the diagonal placement seen in recent models.
The primary camera will retain its 48MP resolution, identical to the iPhone 15 series, with an f/1.6 aperture and optical-quality 2x telephoto capabilities. However, Apple is expected to improve the aperture to f/2.2 from f/2.4 for the ultra-wide-angle camera, resulting in enhanced low-light performance. Furthermore, AppleInsider expects the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to introduce macro photography for the first time.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max cameras are also poised for a radical revamp. These phones will again feature a trio of cameras on the back: a wide-angle, an ultra-wide-angle, and a telephoto camera.
The new iPhone’s primary sensor will retain its 48MP resolution, boasting an f/1.78 aperture. This sensor will enable 2x optical-quality 12MP telephoto shots with 1.22-micrometer pixels.
Both models will feature a telephoto lens with an upgraded 5x zoom, a significant improvement over last year’s models, where only the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasted this feature. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro had a 3x telephoto lens. The telephoto lens will retain its 12MP resolution with an f/2.8 aperture.
The ultra-wide-angle lens on the iPhone 16 Pro series will undergo significant changes. It will now boast a 48MP resolution (up from 12MP) and provide 0.7 micrometer pixels at full resolution and 1.4 micrometers when used as a quad-pixel. The lens will also feature a faster aperture (f/2.2 from f/2.4) for improved low-light performance. Users will also be able to capture 48MP ProRaw photos with the iPhone 16 Pro models.
Two groundbreaking camera enhancements are expected to make their debut on the upcoming iPhones. According to AppleInsider, Apple has integrated support for a cutting-edge image format, JPEG-XL. The two iPhone 16 Pro models equipped with Dolby Vision will also flaunt 3K video recording capabilities at an astonishing 120 frames per second. Moreover, both models will be capable of capturing 1080P video at either 210fps or 240fps, a significant upgrade from the 25, 30, or 60fps options available on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, it is mentioned that 4K video recording will be available at 60 fps, whereas the current model offers 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30, or 60fps.
Furthermore, according to AppleInsider, Apple has decided to introduce a Capture Button on all four iPhone 16 models. The button will be strategically positioned in the lower-right corner of the capacitive model, so when the phone is held in landscape mode, the camera bump will be situated at the top, and your index finger will rest on the new button. The button will seamlessly integrate with native and third-party camera apps to perform tasks such as zooming, cycling through filters, and more.
Among the other rumors surrounding the next iPhone series is that the iPhone 16 Pro models will feature larger displays. The iPhone 16 Pro’s display is rumored to be increased to 6.3 inches from the current 6.1 inches, while the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max may boast a 6.9-inch display instead of the current 6.7 inches.
