iPhone 16 Pro: 5 biggest rumored camera upgrades

 

Come September, shutterbugs will have a lot to cheer about. At that time, we anticipate Apple will introduce the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, the company's newest high-end flagship models, which are expected to include more significant camera improvements than their predecessors.

Nothing on our ranking of the greatest camera phones to date has surpassed the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but that may change when the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max is released. Apart from the anticipated incorporation of new image processing algorithms, further hardware modifications may enable Apple to close the gap in terms of photo and video capture.

We can't wait to see what new features iOS 18 has in store, which may be unveiled this summer at Apple's WWDC 2024 conference, in addition to the hardware. AI is expected to have a more significant role in the history of the iPhone 16 Pro, which means it may tip the scales.

Larger camera sensors

 

Larger sensors are expected in the iPhone 16 Pro variants, which makes sense given that the primary camera will handle the most of the hard lifting. The primary 48MP will have a 1/1.14-inch sensor, up from the 1/1.28-inch sensor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, according to Digital Chat Station.

Larger sensors often record more light, which leads to higher resolution and noticeably improved low light performance. Based on the numerous low light shots we took during our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max picture session, we can say with certainty that this is accurate.

An upgraded 48MP ultrawide camera with a larger 1/2.6-inch sensor is another major upgrade rumored to be included in both models. This is an interesting rumor because, in addition to producing better photos overall, Apple may be able to use the same pixel binning technique used in the main camera of the standard iPhone 15 to provide optical quality if you plan to crop photos taken with the ultrawide camera later on.

Tetraprism telephoto lens design with iPhone 16 Pro

 

 

One of the biggest incentives to get the iPhone 15 Pro Max is because of its tetraprism telephoto camera design, which delivers a 5x optical zoom. That’s a longer reach over the iPhone 15 Pro’s shorter 3x optical zoom, but rumor has it that the iPhone 16 Pro will share the same tetraprism telephoto lens as the iPhone 16 Pro Max — effectively bringing 5x optical zoom to both new iPhone 16 Pro models.

 

 

Although this is fantastic news for the iPhone 16 Pro, it does take some of the enchantment away from those who were thinking about getting the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, because the current iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are $200 apart, it will be intriguing if Apple decides to raise the price of the iPhone 16 Pro. Apple may raise the price of the 16 Pro if both versions have the same telephoto reach.

 

6x telephoto zoom on iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

However, if a rumor about the iPhone 16 Pro Max getting a "ultra" telephoto lens turns out to be true, the existing price may remain. One of the first speculations about the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera was that the larger iPhone will have a somewhat longer 6x telephoto zoom.
It would make sense to properly separate it from the iPhone 16 Pro once more, and the larger zoom range would make it a terrific exclusive for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. As we've seen, the 5x telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max regularly produces crisper, more detailed photos than the 3x telephoto camera on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

 

 Because of this, the 25x digital zoom that the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers may not be surpassed by the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This small improvement in the telephoto camera over the previous year would be significant.

 

 

Reducing lens flare

 

 In photos shot with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, lens flares still appear, albeit they might not be a major distraction for some. We experienced this firsthand when attempting to photograph the solar eclipse in April 2024 with the iPhone 15 Pro, however there are rumors circulating that Apple is attempting to resolve this problem.

To enhance the quality of the photos, Apple could cover the cameras of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max with a new anti-lens flare material. A novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology would be used to apply this coating, shielding images from lens flares.

 

Capture button

 

 Lastly, it appears that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max (as well as maybe the remainder of the iPhone 16 series) will have a capture button. The Capture button differs from the Action button, which was initially included with the iPhone 15 Pro models, in that it is directly related to the camera.

It is thought that the Capture button is a capacities button, capable of detecting various pressure levels to carry out certain camera-related tasks. For instance, you may designate a gentle push for capturing pictures and a longer, harsher press for starting videos.

 

 It's unclear if the Capture button would have any purpose other than using the camera after that. The Capture button's capacitive nature may allow it to serve as a camera focus function as well. Holding the button down slightly would lock in focus, and pressing it further would shoot a picture. The Action button may be configured to carry out similar functions.