A multifunction button specifically to control the Camera app will be included in all four iPhone 16 version, not only the Pro models, according to an unconfirmed report published Thursday.
The same source details a range of improvements to the cameras built into these iOS handsets expected to launch in September.
iPhone 16 camera Capture button for everyone
The camera is a critical iPhone component, and Apple steadily improves the quality of the ones it builds into its devices. It’s not unusual for consumers who are satisfied with the general performance of their phone to upgrade entirely to get an improved camera.
In what seems an indication of just how important photography is, every model in the iPhone 16 series will get a button dedicated to taking pictures, according to information leaked to AppleInsider. Details of the Capture button leaked previously, but it was thought likely to be exclusive to the two Pro versions.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that pressing the button once will open the Camera app, touching it lightly will trigger autofocus, sliding a finger on the button will zoom in and out, and pressing harder will take a picture.
Buttons seem to be proliferating. Earlier rumors indicate the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will also get the Action button that’s now only part of the iPhone 15 Pro models.
More iPhone 16 camera improvements
News already seeped out that both iPhone 16 Pro models will include the 5x tetraprism camera from the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The primary camera will reportedly stay the same at 48MP and f/1.78, but both Pro versions will allegedly include an improved 48MP Ultra Wide camera. “It will have .7 micrometer pixels when shooting at full resolution or 1.4 micrometer when used as a quad pixel,” says AppleInsider.
In addition, the reports says, “We’ve also been told that the two Pro models will support 3K video at 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision.”
As for the more basic iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, their primary camera apparently won’t change but the 12MP Ultra Wide camera will be upgraded to f/2.2 for better low-light performance. “Non-Pro model iPhones are also believed to support macro photography for the first time,” reports AppleInsider.
In addition, Apple will supposedly add support for the JPEG-XL image format to iPhone. The industry group that developed the format says, “JPEG XL is designed to meet the needs of image delivery on the web and professional photography. It supports wide colour gamut as well as high dynamic range and high bit depth images. JPEG XL further includes features such as animation, alpha channels, layers, thumbnails, lossless and progressive coding to support a wide range of use cases.”
More about Apple’s next handsets
The highlight of the iPhone 16 series is expected to be software, not hardware. Apple Intelligence, the suite of artificial intelligence features unveiled at WWDC24, should steal the show.
For more besides camera details, read Cult of Mac’s guide on what to else expect from the iPhone 16 lineup for additional leaks on all four of Apple’s flagship handsets almost certain to launch in a few weeks.
