Highlights
- Both iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will feature a 48-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
- The tetraprism lens capable of 5x optical zoom will be also included in both Pro models.
- The iPhone 16 Pro will support 4K video recording at 120fps.
- Apple has tested 8K video recording.
- Uncertain if 8K video recording capability will feature in the iPhone 16 Pro final devices.
- A new touch-sensitive camera button will allow various actions.
Image for representation (Photo by Ash Saribekyan on Unsplash)
Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event is just days away but if you thought rumours are stopping anytime soon, you are wrong. We have spent months reading about the upcoming iPhone 16 series and what to expect. It is almost out in the open what we are getting with the new iPhones.
While plenty of new unofficial updates keep coming out every day, some fresh details about the iPhone 16 Pro camera improvements in 9to5Mac’s reports are interesting to note. Here’s everything about the recent rumours on the iPhone 16 Pro camera.
iPhone 16 Pro – New Camera Features
According to 9to5Mac reports, trusted sources have provided evidence of what’s new in the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system. While earlier speculation about the new Pro models featuring a 48-megapixel ultra-wide sensor has been confirmed, it is now believed that the iPhone 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max will have the same camera setups.
It means we can now confirm that the tetraprism lens capable of 5x optical zoom will now be included in the Pro models of the iPhone 16 series. This feature was previously exclusive to the Pro Max only in the current iPhone 15 lineup.
iPhone 16 Pro to Shoot 4K 120fps videos
The new update, however, is about the video shooting capabilities. For the first time, we are hearing news the iPhone 16 Pro will be able to record videos in 4K resolution at 120fps. This is a significant update compared to the iPhone 15, which was limited to 4K at 60fps.
When connected to external storage, future iPhone 16 Pro users can shoot ProRes 4K videos at 120fps. Additionally, Apple is upgrading the QuickTake feature from 1080p to 4K.
9to5Mac report also confirms seeing evidence that Apple has tested 8K video recording with the iPhone 16 Pro. Since an 8K image is roughly 35 megapixels, both the wide and ultra-wide lenses have enough resolution to handle it.
Moreover, the new A18 Pro chip seems up to the task of processing 8K footage.
However, the report doesn’t confirm whether Apple will enable 8K recording on the final devices or not. This is still uncertain mainly because the zoom lens is still limited to 4K.
There is a chance that Apple might hold off on 8K until next year’s iPhones. Rumours are already circulating that the next iPhone will feature a new zoom lens with a higher resolution, which will support 8K recording.
iPhone 16 Pro – New 48MP Ultra Wide to Enable High-Quality Macro Photos
In another report, 9to5Mac now confirms that iPhone 16 Pro’s rumoured 48MP upgraded Ultra Wide will also enable better macro photos.
There have been concerns about current iPhone macro lens performance and it appears Apple has planned to resolve all issues with the upcoming range.
Current iPhone ultra-wide lens product low-quality images in poor lighting (Image Credit – 9to5Mac)
In the current generation of iPhones, a flower icon appears in the Camera app whenever you move closer to a photo subject. This is basically the camera app switching from the main camera to the Ultra Wide lens to enable sharp super-close shots. While it may not be noticeable in good lighting conditions, in many cases the switch to macro mode produces a lower-quality image.
This problem will now be resolved iPhone 16 Pro with the 48MP upgraded Ultra Wide.
Camera Button Latest Updates
Rumour about iPhone 16 models featuring a new dedicated camera button is now old news. A recent 9to5Mac report, however, provides more insights into this.
Leaked images of Camera Button on upcoming iPhone (Image Credit – Unknown User on X)
While it is referred to as the “Camera Button” internally in Apple, the official or marketing name might be different.
It is a touch-sensitive button that can perform different actions depending on how you press or slide it.
We can expect the Camera Button to perform the following actions as per recent reports –
- A simple press will launch the Camera app or a third-party camera app of your choice, thanks to an iOS 18 API that lets users replace Apple’s Camera app on the Lock Screen.
- A soft press on the button will trigger auto-focus.
- A firm press will take a photo or start recording a video.
- Sliding your finger across the button’s surface will adjust zoom levels or exposure settings.
iPhone 16 Pro – Other Camera Features
Other notable updates as per recent reports are –
- iPhone 16 Pro most likely will support the JPEG-XL format for capturing both lossy and lossless photos.
- Will have the ability to pause and resume video recording within the Camera app
- Improved wind noise reduction in videos
- Several new Photographic Styles use enhanced machine learning to better preserve skin tones
- A new mode for capturing Spatial Photos that can be viewed in 3D on the Apple Vision Pro.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are expected to remain similar when it comes to design. However, as per reports, the iPhones will have larger displays with a faster chip for improved performance.
Apple’s event is scheduled for Monday at 10 A.M. Pacific Time. Be sure to follow along for full coverage of all the announcements.
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 features are expected in the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to feature a 48-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, which was previously exclusive to the Pro Max model. Additionally, both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will include a tetraprism lens capable of 5x optical zoom.
Will the iPhone 16 Pro support higher video recording resolutions?
Yes, the iPhone 16 Pro will support 4K video recording at 120fps, a significant upgrade from the iPhone 15, which was limited to 4K at 60fps. There are also reports that Apple has tested 8K video recording, but it is uncertain if this feature will be available in the final devices.
What improvements in the macro lens are expected in the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro will feature an upgraded 48MP ultra-wide lens, which will enable higher-quality macro photos. This upgrade aims to resolve issues with the current iPhone’s macro lens performance, particularly in low-light conditions.
What is the new dedicated camera button on the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro will include a new touch-sensitive camera button. This button can perform various actions depending on how it is pressed or slid. For example, a simple press will launch the Camera app, a soft press will trigger auto-focus, and a firm press will take a photo or start recording a video. Sliding your finger across the button’s surface will adjust the zoom level.
Will the iPhone 16 pro support the JPEG-XL support ?
iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly support for the JPEG-XL format.
This format supports both lossy and lossless compression, enabling high-quality images at smaller file sizes.
JPEG-XL supports wide color gamuts, high dynamic range (HDR), and progressive rendering.
On the iPhone 16 Pro, JPEG-XL support will be available alongside existing formats, including JPEG, HEIF, HEIF Max, and ProRaw Max.
What would be the function of the new capture button on the iPhone 16 models?
Apple is adding a new button to all four iPhone 16 models that is focused fully to the camera.
The “Capture button” will be located on the right side of the iPhone 16.
Users will be able to press the button to open the Camera app, then use the button to manipulate specific controls such as zoom or exposure, and finally actually take a picture.
The Capture button will reportedly feature a physical design that presses in and out, paired with a capacitive surface on the top.
Users will be able to swipe on this capacitive surface to zoom in and out, adjust exposure, and more.
The Capture button will also reportedly support third-party camera apps.
What is the update on the upgraded main camera of the iPhone 16 pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly use a new Main camera sensor from Sony with an upgraded design for better low-light performance.
Sony’s latest stacked sensor tech separates out the photo diodes and pixel transistors,
which are normally combined into a single layer.
This allows the photo diodes themselves – the bit which actually captures the light – to be significantly larger for the same overall pixel size.
Sony claims that this sensor captures twice as much light compared to existing camera sensors.
Capturing more light and removing more noise means better photos across the board for iPhone users.
There is no confirmation whether the next-generation Sony sensor will be used in both iPhone 16 Pro models.
A rumour on Weibo has said that only the iPhone 16 Pro Max will use this upgraded stacked camera sensor hardware.
What are the New iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max camera features on the upgraded ultra wide camera ?
According to reports, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will both get an upgraded 48MP Ultra Wide camera this year.
This will be a major upgrade from the current 12 MP Ultra Wide camera in the iPhone 15 Pro.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s 48MP Ultra Wide camera can make improvements for spatial video recording.
iPhone 16 Pro could record spatial video in 4K resolution, the iPhone 15 Pro can only record spatial video at 1080p resolution.
The upgraded Ultra Wide camera will l bring improvements to macro mode.
What are the Video upgrades expected on the iPhone 16 pro ?
According to a last-minute rumor, the iPhone 16 Pro will support recording 4K videos at 120 frames-per-second for the first time. iPhone 15 records 4K footage at 60 frames per second.
4K videos shot on the iPhone 16 Pro will be smoother and more fluid than ever before.
Apple has also reportedly tested the ability to record 8K video with the iPhone 16 Pro, but it’s unclear whether that capability will actually be available this year.
Will there be an expanded optical zoom in the iPhone 16 pro camera ?
Apple will expand the upgraded tetaprism camera to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro as well.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will both offer at least 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom.
One sketchy rumor has suggested the iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature “periscope ultra-long telephoto combination.”
This would enable optical zoom greater than 5x.
What is the Anti-reflective coating on the iPhone 16 ?
iPhone camera user is always facing a lens flare when shooting in bright lighting environments.
This problem leads to unexpected artifacts and lens flare internal reflections showing on images.
Apple reportedly has a fix in the works for the iPhone 16 Pro.
According to a rumor, Apple is testing a new “atomic layer deposition” (or ALD) lens coating technology for the iPhone 16 Pro. This anti-reflective coating could be applied to the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera lenses to minimize the effects of the internal reflections.
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