iPhone 16 Lineup to Introduce Wave of Camera Improvements

The iPhone 16 lineup will feature a significant number of new camera features and capabilities, AppleInsider reports.

iPhone 15 Pro Cameras
Both the ‌iPhone 16‌ and iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to step up the iPhone's photography and videography functions, including upgraded hardware such as 48-megapixel sensor on the Pro models' ultra wide camera and software such as macro photography for the standard models and an all-new image format. Reiterating some previous rumors, the report claims that:

  • The ‌iPhone 16‌'s main camera will remain the same as that of the iPhone 15 with a 48-megapixel sensor and a f/1.6 aperture, and there are unlikely to be changes to the unit on subsequent generations through to 2026.
  • The ‌iPhone 16‌'s ultra wide camera will gain a f/2.2 aperture, up from the f/2.4 aperture on the previous generation, to improve low-light performance.
  • The ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus may support macro photography for the first time. The feature is currently exclusive to the Pro models.
  • The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will continue to feature a 48-megapixel main camera with an f/1.78 aperture.
  • The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ will gain the 5x tetraprism telephoto camera introduced on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max last year, replacing the current 3x telephoto camera.
  • The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will feature an upgraded ultra wide camera with a 48-megapixel sensor, with the same pixel-binning feature as the main camera. It will have an f/2.2 aperture, up from f/2.4, for significantly improved low-light performance and support 48-megapixel ProRaw photography.
  • Apple will introduce a new image format called "JPEG-XL," sitting alongside HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max.
  • The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will support 3K video at 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision.
  • A new capacitive "Capture" button will be introduced on all four models, designed to be used exclusively by camera apps. Users will apparently be able to select which camera app the button opens, including third-party ones.
  • The Capture button offers a force-sensitive half-press tied to a developer API that could, for example, lock exposure and focus, before fully depressing the button to take a photo.
  • Sliding along the capacitive button will also perform different actions. This gesture will tout a developer API.

The ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup is expected to be announced in just a matter of weeks. The Pro models are expected to feature larger display sizes and a faster chip, while the standard models are set to offer the Action button and a redesigned rear camera array. See our comprehensive roundup for more information.

Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

WSJ: Apple Weighing Price Hikes for iPhone 17 Lineup Without Blaming Tariffs

Monday May 12, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming iPhone 17 models set to release this fall, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The company reportedly aims to pair the potential price hikes with new features and design changes to justify the increased cost to consumers, rather than attributing them to U.S. tariffs on goods from China. The...
tvOS 18 Feature

Apple Releases tvOS 18.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.5, the latest version of the tvOS operating system. tvOS 18.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.5 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.5, the fifth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched last September. macOS Sequoia 15.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.4. Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia 15.5‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Expected This Week With These New Features

Monday May 12, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 18.5 to the general public this week. While the software update is relatively minor, it still includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we recap everything new in iOS 18.5. Pride Wallpaper Apple recently announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face,...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

20th Anniversary iPhone Will Be Mostly Glass With All-Screen Design

Monday May 12, 2025 2:52 am PDT by
Apple will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone X in 2027 by launching a mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said the all-screen device will arrive later in 2027, suggesting a fall release. The model will be preceded by Apple's first foldable iPhone, claims the reporter....
Apple Logo Spotlight Blue

Report: Apple Preparing to Launch Mind-Control Support for iPhones

Tuesday May 13, 2025 6:18 am PDT by
Apple is planning to allow users to natively control iPhones, iPads, and other devices using brain signals later this year, The Wall Street Journal reports. The initiative involves a partnership with Synchron, a neurotechnology startup that produces an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) device called the Stentrode. The Stentrode enables users with severe motor impairments, such as...

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
10 months ago
Dial down the software processing and allow us to easily disable (and/or tweak) it.

Those are the camera improvements I'd like
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
10 months ago

"Apple will introduce a new image format called "JPEG-XL," sitting alongside HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max."
Why not JPEG Max?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gagaliya Avatar
10 months ago

Yet another unnecessary button. I thought we’re moving away from that. The action button is a less practical mute switch for me.
unnecessary? this is a very nice new feature for once so you dont have to fiddle with the screen to take photos while on the go, just point and snap. Not sure if you ever used a traditional camera, the hold before snap is also great.

do people just by default start complaining about every new thing apple releases, how do you not want a new camera button to make it easier to take photos like a traditional camera...
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
10 months ago

Apple will introduce a new image format called "JPEG-XL," sitting alongside HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max.
I hope it gets more widespread support than HEIF does... every time I transfer my photos to my Mac, I have to convert the image files to JPEG if I want to use them outside of the few apps that support the format. ?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gagaliya Avatar
10 months ago
5x telephoto on the pro max should be upgraded to 48megapixel too...why leave that out..lame.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

unnecessary? this is a very nice new feature for once so you dont have to fiddle with the screen to take photos while on the go, just point and snap. Not sure if you ever used a traditional camera, the hold before snap is also great.

do people just by default start complaining about every new thing apple releases, how do you not want a new camera button to make it easier to take photos like a traditional camera...
You have been able to use the volume button to snap photos since, well forever.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)