Leaked iPhone 16 camera changes reveal macro mode, new format, and more | Tech Tips
iPhone 16 camera specs have leaked in detail revealing key upgrades and changes for both regular iPhone models and the Pro variants. The highlights from the leak include a macro mode for regular iPhones, support for 3K videos on the Pro models and JPEG-XL format for the entire lineup. Here are the full details:
iPhone 16 camera specs leak
Apple Insider has shared the possible iPhone 16 series camera specifications and we spot the following differences from their predecessors:
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus
- The duo could ship a 48MP (f/1.6)+ 12MP camera setup similar to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. However, the 12MP ultrawide module could sport a wider f/2.2 aperture unlike f/2.4 on the precursor. This could endow improved low-light photography as the sensor can get more light to work with.
- You could get the same 2x optical zoom from the primary camera and a 0.5x zoom out from the secondary ultrawide snapper as the vanilla iPhone 15 series.
- Interestingly, the regular iPhones could also get macro mode which was so far exclusive to the Pros.
- Their rear lens arrangement could be vertically stacked and not diagonal like on the vanilla iPhone 15 lineup.
iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
- The primary camera on both phones could be a 48MP sensor with f/1.78 aperture and 1.22µm pixel size. This could capture 12MP (pixel-binned) 2x optical zoom shots.
- The secondary 12MP f/2.8 telephoto camera will sport 5x zoom on both models. Last year, only the Pro Max had this privilege.
- The ultrawide camera could be bumped up to 48MP from 12MP on previous models. You could shoot at full 48MP (0.7µm) or pixel binned at 12MP (1.4µm). You may even get to shoot the advanced 48MP ProRaw photos.
iPhone 16 Capture button
- The report claims the Capture button will be present on all four models.
- As previously known, it will be located on the lower half of the right side frame. So, when you hold the device in landscape mode, your right index finger will naturally sit atop this button.
- It’s capacitive, which means it will work when in contact with your finger and not by accidental presses within the pant/jeans pocket.
- You could single-tap it to activate a camera app of your choice (not just the stock app).
- While in the camera app, you could half-press to perhaps control focus and exposure.
- A full press could click the shutter and take the photo.
- The capacitive design could let you slide your finger across its surface to perform other actions. The actual uses may be up for the camera app developers to program in. Apple might use this feature to control zoom in the stock camera app, change filters, and tweak exposure or background blur in photos.
Other iPhone 16 series camera upgrades
- iPhone 16 is rumoured to support the next-gen, general-purpose JPEG-XL image format, which features more efficient compression (smaller file size for the same image quality), a wider colour gamut, and HDR.
- The iPhone 16 Pro models could support 3K videography at 120 FPS with Dolby Vision. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro series comes with up to 4K@60fps and 1080P@ 240 FPS.