Highlights
- Pill-shaped camera bump inspired by iPhone X introduced in iPhone 16 prototypes.
- Vertical camera setup with dedicated rings for Wide and Ultrawide lenses.
- Enhanced functionality with potential for Spatial Video recording in base models.
- Subtle design adjustments include a smaller Action Button.
Apple is currently in the process of finalising the design for this year’s iPhone 16 models.
The latest buzz from the tech giant’s labs reveals a significant shift towards a new camera design that might just set the trend for future smartphones.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic iPhone X, Apple’s newest prototype might be introducing a new aesthetic coupled that will deviate from the company’s .
Reviving the Pill-Shaped Camera Bump
As per Macrumors, and corroborated by tipster Majin Bu the centerpiece of the latest iPhone 16 prototype is undoubtedly its pill-shaped camera bump, a nod to the design philosophy behind the iPhone X.
This prototype distinguishes itself by featuring two distinct camera rings dedicated to the Wide and Ultrawide cameras, subtly incorporating elements from previous designs.
The continuity in the vertical arrangement of the camera system, alongside the unchanged positioning of the flash and camera lenses is possibly what we can expect from the base iPhones this year.
Clearly, the design is there to differentiate the device’s visual appeal but there is also an indication of functional enhancements, particularly the potential inclusion of Spatial Video recording capabilities in the base iPhone 16 models.
As the Vision Pro reaches more and more hands, the ability to take record in this new spatial video format, is what Apple is banking on to get the sales of the former to shoot up.
Design Tweaks and Functional Upgrades
Beyond the camera, Apple has not shied away from refining other elements of the iPhone 16.
Recent prototypes showcase subtle yet significant adjustments to the Action Button and Capture Button.
The Action Button has been downsized to resemble the one found on the iPhone 15 Pro, suggesting a preference for uniformity across models.
More intriguing, however, is the introduction of a pressure-sensitive Capture Button, designed to sit flush with the device’s frame.
Although more in the realm of speculation this dedicated Capture button might be the most important change of all.
These changes, while primarily cosmetic, hint at Apple’s broader vision for the iPhone 16 series: a blend of aesthetic appeal and functional innovation.
Apple iPhone 16 Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | September 07, 2024 (Expected) |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color OLED Screen (1B Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.12 inches, 1200 x 2600 pixels, 120 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| PPI | ~ 447 PPI |
| Features | Super Retina XDR Display, HDR Display, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), Haptic Touch, 1200 Nits Max Brightness (HDR), Support for Display of Multiple Languages and Characters Simultaneously |
| Notch | Yes, Small Notch |
MEMORY
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| 5G Bands | 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n77, n78, n79) |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.4, A2DP, LE |
| USB | Yes, Lightning Port |
| USB Features | USB on-the-go, USB Charging |
EXTRA
| GPS | yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Fingerprint Sensor | No |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Barometer, Three‑axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Lightning |
| NFC | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Yes, 6 m upto 30 min |
| IP Rating | IP69 |
| Dust Resistant | Yes |
| Extra Features | Satellite Connectivity, Crash Detection |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 48 MP f/1.5 (Main) 12 MP f/2.4 (Ultra Wide) with autofocus |
| Features | Panorama, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Burst Mode, Photo Geotagging |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 24/25/30/60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 25/30/60 fps FHD |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED |
| Front Camera | 12 MP f/1.9 (TrueDepth) with Retina Flash |
| Front Video Recording | 4K @ 60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 60 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | iOS v18 |
| Chipset | Apple Bionic A17 |
| CPU | Octa Core Processor |
| GPU | Apple 4 Core GPU |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | AAC‑LC, HE‑AAC, HE‑AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC‑3), Dolby Digital Plus (E‑AC‑3), Dolby Atmos and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+) |
| Video | HEVC, H.264, MPEG‑4 Part 2 and Motion JPEG, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 3500 mAh, Li-ion Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, 25W MagSafe |
| Music Playback Time | 100 hours |
FAQs
What new camera design is Apple introducing in the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 is expected to feature a pill-shaped camera bump with a vertical arrangement for its Wide and Ultrawide cameras, taking inspiration from the design philosophy of the iPhone X.
How does the iPhone 16’s camera design differ from previous models?
Unlike the broader square bumps of past models, the iPhone 16 aims to differentiate with a sleek, pill-shaped bump that focuses on enhancing both aesthetic appeal and camera functionality.
Will the iPhone 16 support Spatial Video recording?
Indications suggest that Apple plans to introduce Spatial Video recording capabilities in the iPhone 16 base models, expanding the immersive video experience to a wider audience.
Are there any changes to the iPhone 16’s Action and Capture Buttons?
The latest prototypes show a downsized Action Button akin to the iPhone 15 Pro and a new pressure-sensitive Capture Button, aiming for a more uniform and intuitive user interface.
What are the key design changes in the latest iPhone 16 Pro prototype?
The latest “Proto2” prototype of the iPhone 16 Pro shows a design shift, adopting a smaller Action button akin to that of the iPhone 15 Pro.
This contrasts with earlier prototypes that experimented with different sizes and placements for the Action button.
How did the iPhone 16 Pro’s Action button design evolve from initial prototypes?
Early prototypes of the iPhone 16 Pro included a unified volume button and a smaller multi-purpose Action button.
This design was part of the discontinued Project Bongo, which initially aimed to bring haptic buttons to the iPhone 15 Pro.
What was the purpose of Apple’s Project Bongo and how did it influence the iPhone 16 Pro’s design?
Project Bongo was an attempt to introduce haptic buttons to the iPhone 15 Pro. Although the project was canceled, its design elements, particularly the unified volume button, influenced early versions of the iPhone 16 Pro.
What does the “Proto2” prototype indicate about the future of the iPhone 16 Pro’s design?
The “Proto2” prototype suggests that Apple may be moving away from the idea of a capacitive Action button, as it features a smaller, more traditional Action button similar to the iPhone 15 Pro.
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