iPhone 16 series gets a whole host of camera improvements

The iPhone 16 series camera gets a significant number of new features and capabilities – here’s what you need to know.

iPhone 16 series camera gets many improvements

Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to be coming to the Apple Insider get better photography and video features. This is thanks to improved hardware, such as a 48-megapixel sensor on the ultra-wide camera of the Pro models. But also through software such as macro photography for the standard models and a completely new image format. We list all the improvements for you:

• The iPhone 16’s main camera remains the same as iPhone 15’s, with a 48-megapixel sensor and an f/1.6 aperture. The camera on subsequent generations is unlikely to change until 2026.
• The iPhone 16’s Ultra Wide camera gets an aperture of f/2.2 (up from f/2.4 on the iPhone 15). This improves 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, like their predecessors, get a 48-megapixel main camera with an aperture of f/1.78.
• The iPhone 16 Pro gets the 12MP tetraprism telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, which was introduced on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. It replaces the current version with 3x optical zoom.

• The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max get an improved ultra-wide camera, with a 48-megapixel sensor that features the same pixel binning as the main camera. The camera has an f/2.2 aperture (previously f/2.4) for better low-light performance, and supports 48-megapixel ProRaw.

• Apple is introducing a new image format called ‘JPEG-XL’. This format joins HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw and ProRAW Max.
• The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max support 3K video at 120 frames per second and Dolby Vision.
• Apple is introducing a new capture button on all four models. This button is designed exclusively for use with camera apps. Users will likely be able to choose which camera app the button opens, including third-party apps.

• The capture button is similar to the shutter release button on a camera. For example, you can lock the exposure and focus by pressing the button halfway down. Then you take the photo by pressing the button all the way down.
• Swiping the capture button also performs various actions. This gesture uses a developer API.

The iPhone 16 series is expected to be announced on September 10. The Pro models are expected to get a larger display and a faster chip, while the standard models will get the action button and an updated camera.