Apple is anticipated to unveil the iPhone 16 series next month, likely on September 10. Ahead of the launch, the camera specifications for all four models have surfaced.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will feature dual cameras like their predecessors, but this time they will be vertically aligned on the back. The primary camera will retain the 48 MP sensor from the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
The ultrawide camera will see an upgrade with a faster f/2.2 aperture (compared to f/2.4 on last year’s models), which should enhance low-light photography. Additionally, the non-Pro models are rumored to support macro photography for the first time.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will both include a 5x telephoto camera, no longer limited to just the larger model as it was last year. This telephoto lens will have a 12 MP sensor with an f/2.8 aperture.
While the main camera on the Pro models remains unchanged from last year, the ultrawide camera will undergo a significant upgrade. It will feature a 48 MP pixel-binning sensor with 0.7-micrometer pixels, effectively creating a pixel size of 1.4 micrometers in binning mode. Users will also be able to capture 48 MP ProRaw photos.
Apple is rumored to introduce a new photo format this year, JPEG-XL. The Pro models are expected to support 3K video recording at 120fps with Dolby Vision.
Lastly, all four iPhone 16 models will include a Capture Button, a feature that has been a staple in Sony’s smartphones for years. However, Apple’s version will be capacitive, meaning it won’t physically move when pressed. The button will be exclusive to camera apps, including third-party ones.
The Capture Button will have a force-sensitive half-press feature, accessible through a developer API, allowing actions like locking exposure and focus before fully pressing to take a photo. As a capacitive button, it can also function as a trackpad, enabling gestures like zooming in and out. Third-party developers can leverage the API to introduce additional functionalities.