The iPhone 16 series launch is less than a month away, and it might be happening on 10 September 2024. If you have been waiting to upgrade your iPhone and are curious about the camera upgrades, keep reading.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
According to AppleInsider, the upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are set to continue the trend of dual-camera setups, featuring a primary wide camera and a secondary ultra-wide camera.
The primary camera will maintain its 48MP resolution with an f/1.6 aperture, offering 1X and 2X optical-quality telephoto zoom. This consistency ensures users can expect the same high-quality shots as the previous model.
However, the ultra-wide camera is receiving a notable upgrade. It will now feature a faster f/2.2 aperture, improved from the previous f/2.4. This enhancement allows more light to reach the sensor, significantly boosting performance in low-light conditions. Additionally, for the first time, non-Pro iPhones will support macro photography.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will continue to utilise a triple-camera setup. The primary sensor remains a 48MP unit with an f/1.78 aperture, capable of capturing 2X optical-quality 12MP telephoto shots with 1.22 micrometer pixels.
A significant upgrade this year is the inclusion of a 5X telephoto lens for both models, previously exclusive to the Pro Max. This new lens will replace the 3X telephoto lens found in the iPhone 15 Pro.
The telephoto lens retains its 12MP resolution and f/2.8 aperture. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide lens will see a substantial upgrade to 48MP, incorporating the same pixel-binning technology as the primary camera.
This lens will feature .7 micrometer pixels when shooting at full resolution or 1.4 micrometer pixels when used as a quad pixel, enhancing overall image quality.
Other upgrades for iPhone 16 series
AppleInsider added that Apple is introducing a new image format called JPEG-XL with the iPhone 16 series. This format will join the existing lineup of HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max, offering users more options for image storage and quality.
Besides that, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models are rumoured to support 3K video recording at 120 frames per second (FPS) with Dolby Vision. This is a significant upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which can shoot 1080P at either 120FPS or 240FPS, or 4K at 60FPS.
In addition to the camera upgrades, all four new iPhone models will feature a new Capture Button located on the lower-right corner. When holding the phone in landscape mode, this button will be conveniently positioned under your index finger, just above the camera bump.
The Capture Button is capacitive, meaning it requires a touch to activate, preventing accidental triggers in your pocket.
Designed exclusively for camera-specific apps, users can choose which app the Capture Button opens, whether it’s Apple’s native camera app or a third-party option.
The button also has a force-sensitive half-press feature tied to a developer API, allowing actions like locking exposure and focus before taking a photo.
Additionally, the capacitive nature of the button enables it to function like a trackpad, with sliding gestures performing different actions, also tied to a developer API.