iPhone 16 Pro Models Rumored to Support 4K/120 FPS Video Recording, 8K Video Allegedly Tested

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models will be able to record 4K video at up to 120 FPS, according to "reliable sources" cited in a 9to5Mac report today. For comparison, all four iPhone 15 models are capable of 4K video recording at up to 60 FPS.

iPhone 16 Cameras Feature 1
The report adds that Apple has allegedly tested 8K video recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but it is unclear if this capability will be enabled. Since an 8K image is around 33 megapixels, the rumored 48-megapixel Main and Ultra Wide cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro models would be capable of 8K video recording, but the 12-megapixel Telephoto camera would not be. With the iPhone 17 Pro Max rumored to gain a 48-megapixel Telephoto camera next year, the report said 8K video recording might debut on that device instead.

In addition, the report said the iPhone's built-in Camera app will finally allow you to pause and resume a singular video recording.

Many other details mentioned in the report have already been rumored by other sources, including support for a new JPEG-XL image format, the Capture/Camera button supporting third-party apps, and both iPhone 16 Pro models supporting the 5x optical zoom functionality that debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 16 series during its special event on Monday.

Tag: 9to5Mac
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
iOS 26

What to Expect From Apple This December: iOS 26.3 Beta, Replay 2025, and More

Monday December 1, 2025 8:40 am PST by
The calendar has turned to December, and the quieter year-end holiday season is now upon us. Nevertheless, we can still expect a few things from Apple this month. Apple previously announced that iOS 26.2 will be released to the general public in December, and we can expect corresponding updates to be released as well, including iPadOS 26.2, macOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...

Top Rated Comments

coffeemilktea Avatar
16 months ago
I'm going to take so many videos of the neighborhood cats at glorious 4K 120fps... never mind that most people's displays can't keep up. ?

(I think 8K isn't quite... there... yet, as far as phones' ability to film video are concerned. For that matter, I don't know many people with 8K displays to begin with...?)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otozuz Avatar
16 months ago
I remember a time when I was looking for a camera that could decently record 1080 at 120fps. Crazy to think of 4K at 120 fps in a phone form factor.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser Avatar
16 months ago
Thats impressive , thanks to the new A18 pro SoC
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blairo32 Avatar
16 months ago
I know it's a novel feature that alot might not use. But I would love to get better slow motion capture too. Just fun to play around with every now and then.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cloudyskies22 Avatar
16 months ago
This would be awesome. 8K is actually far better than you think. It’s not about having an 8K display, those are almost useless, it’s about the data captured. With an 8K capture you get numerous potential benefits with only increased storage as a negative, this is via chatGPT, but I knew of several of these before asking:

1. **Higher Detail**: 8K captures four times the resolution of 4K, so when downscaled to 4K, the video retains much more detail, offering sharper images and better clarity.

2. **Improved Cropping & Reframing**: With 8K footage, you can crop or reframe parts of the video in post-production without losing significant detail, giving greater flexibility in editing while still maintaining a 4K resolution.

3. **Better Stabilization**: The extra resolution allows for more effective digital stabilization. You can adjust the framing to compensate for shaky footage without a noticeable loss in quality.

4. **Enhanced Zooming**: If you zoom into an 8K video when playing it back on a 4K screen, it will still look sharp and detailed compared to zooming in on 4K video, which would lose quality more quickly.

5. **Better Color Information**: 8K video often comes with increased dynamic range and richer color data, resulting in a more vibrant and lifelike image, even when downscaled to 4K.

6. **Enhanced Compression Efficiency**: Recording in 8K and compressing to 4K can result in more efficient video compression, maintaining higher quality at lower file sizes when exported in 4K.


One of the big things to me is the retention of much greater detail when downscaled. So if you watched the 8K video on your TV at home I believe it would look dramatically better than a 4K iPhone video on your TV or iPad. 8K would be nuts. Obviously this iPhone will start with only 8K 30FPS, but future iPhones will hit 60FPS and eventually 120FPS of course.

Right now when you use stabilization it crops in to compensate for some camera shakiness. Obviously if shooting in 8K it can crop in and you’d get above 4K rather than the current, below 4K stabilized image. Also, like taking a 2X zoomed picture thanks to the 48MP sensors today, you’d be able to zoom in when recording to 2X and maintain the 4K video quality.

Also, for the new 48MP ultra wide sensor, I believe due to it being 48MP, they may be able to reduce the fisheye effect more, cropping the end edges some which are the most effected, and maybe use more processing on the image since it has more detail to combat it further still.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
16 months ago
I wonder how many people would record in 8k on their iPhone? I would think "pros" would use a Red or other industry standard camera for that purpose. I already struggle with the massive file sizes of 4k recording on my iPhone. 8k would be pointless with a base 128 gb storage option.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)