New leak reveals major camera upgrades

There are just over two weeks left until Apple is expected to launch its iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup on September 10. But those who just can't wait that long now have a wealth of information about the next-generation handsets thanks to a new report packed with camera details.

Information obtained through AppleInsider from sources they've been working with “for years,” reveals a number of exciting camera upgrades, both small and large, that could significantly impact photography across the iPhone 16 lineup. Many of these confirm previous leaks, but the report also contains important new information.

Most noticeable change – New record button for all iPhone 16 models

Perhaps the most noticeable change to the iPhone 16 lineup will be the introduction of an entirely new touch-sensitive capture button, which is now expected to appear on all iPhone 16 devices, not just the Pro and Pro Max variants as previously thought.

The new Capture button is significantly more advanced than the multi-function action button currently found on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and is designed to mimic the two-stage shutter buttons found on mirrorless cameras and DSLRs by letting you press it lightly to activate autofocus (and potentially other features), while pressing firmly takes the photo.

Sony already offers this feature on some premium phones, such as the Xperia XZ. The main benefit is that you can lock focus on your subject by half-pressing, then move the camera around to create a better composition that keeps the original subject in focus. Apple's capture button is said to go much further, however, by letting you slide your finger along the length of the button to control a range of camera functions, such as zooming in and out.

Combined, these features mean you can unlock the phone, launch the camera, focus, adjust settings, and take a photo with a single finger without even touching the screen, making the iPhone 16 range feel more like a dedicated camera when you need it.

iPhone 16 / iPhone 16 Plus: Important camera changes

• Primary camera specifications unchanged—The “non-Pro” iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to continue to feature a dual-lens setup on the back. These will feature a 48-megapixel main camera with a wide f/1.6 aperture and offer 1x and 2x “optical-quality” zoom in addition to the familiar 0.5x ultra-wide-angle camera.
• New camera layout—However, the layout of the two rear lenses is expected to change, as they will be aligned vertically on the next-generation iPhones rather than diagonally as is the case with the current iPhone 15 range. This vertical lens alignment, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, reduces unwanted parallax effects when switching between cameras, which is particularly noticeable when zooming in and out during video recording. It should also make it technically possible to record immersive room videos for Apple's Vision Pro headset, a feature currently reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which already use a vertical arrangement of the rear cameras.
• Improved ultra-wide angle lens—The 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera is said to get a brighter f/2.2 lens (up from f/2.4), matching the specs of the Pro and Pro Max models. In terms of numbers, this may seem like a small change, but all other factors remaining equal, this new f/2.2 lens would let in about 19% more light than the current model, resulting in clearer snaps.
• New macro photography mode—The “non-Pro” iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to get a macro photography mode for the first time, which is currently only available on the Pro and Pro Max models. While the report doesn't go into detail, the addition of a macro mode suggests a more capable ultra-wide camera overall. Note that unlike the base model iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the current ultra-wide cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have autofocus, a key factor in allowing the lens to focus close enough to take sharp macro shots. If the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get macro capabilities, that suggests they may also get an ultra-wide camera with autofocus.

iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max: Smaller handset will benefit the most

• Primary camera specifications unchanged –The primary camera sensor and lens are expected to remain unchanged: a 48-megapixel sensor with an f/1.78 aperture lens capable of 12-megapixel “optical quality” shots at up to 2x magnification.
• iPhone 16 Pro: New 5x zoom lens—The biggest camera upgrade for iPhone 16 Pro users will be the introduction of a new 5x telephoto lens. This is available for the first time on the smaller (non-Max) model and replaces the 3x telephoto lens on the current iPhone 15 Pro, bringing Apple's best zoom features to both the Pro and Pro Max models. The iPhone 16 Pro's new 5x telephoto camera is expected to retain the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 12-megapixel sensor and f/2.8 aperture.
• iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: New 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera—While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to get an improved ultra-wide camera closer to the current iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro lineup will go a step further with a brand new 48MP ultra-wide camera that offers up to four times the resolution of the current iPhone 15 Pro models. According to the report, this camera will be able to switch between 24MP and 48MP modes, similar to the main camera. This should result in more detailed macro shots when shooting at 48MP, better low-light performance in 12MP mode, and better quality digital zoom between 0.5x and 1x magnification.
• iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max: New video mode and new file format—The new iPhone 16 lineup is also expected to offer support for the jpeg-xl image format, which delivers smaller files than standard JPEGs (while maintaining the same quality), as well as native support for HDR. It is currently unclear how Apple plans to use jpeg-xl on the iPhone 16, as while Apple's Safari browser supports the format, Google has dropped support for jpeg-xl in Chrome in 2022. The report further claims that both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will enable a 3K video recording mode at up to 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision HDR format.

Everything will be revealed on September 10, when Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 16 lineup, as well as new watches and AirPods. Well, maybe not everything, as Apple's much-touted Apple Intelligence AI features aren't expected until about a month later.

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