In the last few months, Apple has been trying different camera designs for the iPhone 16. In December, we provided details on Apple’s three proposed models, but now the company has shifted its focus once again.
In the new flagship, Apple has incorporated a vertical camera design with a tablet-like appearance. We have created several mockups based on the internal design to illustrate these changes. The tablet-like camera setup includes two camera rings for wide and ultra-wide cameras, drawing inspiration from earlier iPhone models. The vertical camera setup remains consistent, with no changes to the flash mode or camera lens with this latest update.
Our findings align with the information recently shared by Majin Bu on the X website. Bu’s uploaded images also showcase the same design. The new camera design being experimented with by Apple is inspired by older iPhone models, such as the iPhone X, which had a tablet-like camera with a smaller bump. While similar to the iPhone 12’s vertical camera, this new design features a smaller area that also houses the flash and microphone. With the vertical camera setup, we anticipate that Apple will introduce Spatial Video recording to the base models of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Currently, the iPhone 15 models have diagonal cameras and cannot record mid-range video, a feature limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and the Vision Pro itself. Alongside the updated camera design, the latest iPhone 16 prototypes include minor changes to the Action Button and Capture Button, as we have previously reported. The most recent units feature a small Action Button, akin to the one used on the iPhone 15 Pro, along with a pressure-sensitive Capture button that occupies the device’s frame. Despite the decorative design of the camera covering the back glass, the change to the Action Button during prototyping is significant. Apple’s update reveals that the original plan to bring a Capacitive Action button to the iPhone 16 model has been abandoned. It’s important to note that the information we have shared here is based on developmental data, and may not accurately represent the design of the final units to be released this fall. As observed with previous iPhone models, Apple makes numerous design and hardware alterations during development, and the iPhone 16 model is no exception. More visual information will be unveiled as the devices approach the EVT (Engineering Validation Testing) development stage. For further insights, refer to our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro rumor pages.
