iPhone 16 camera: PhoneArena Camera Score and all new features explained
Apple's latest iPhone 16 series bring quite a few changes to the camera system, especially for the Pro models.
But what are the actual improvements and should you upgrade for all the new camera features?
We have now finished our thorough testing process and the iPhone 16 PhoneArena Camera Score is out, but before you see the scores (right below), let's see what is actually new.
The bigger camera changes this year come to the Pro models. Both the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max get a new 48MP ultrawide camera, an upgrade from the 12MP camera used for years (the regular 16 and the 16 Plus still use it). This follows the successful implementation of a 48MP main camera in the previous generation, delivering exceptional image quality.
The smaller iPhone 16 Pro also gets a new 5X zoom telephoto camera, a change from the 3X zoom it had earlier.
The smaller iPhone 16 Pro also gets a new 5X zoom telephoto camera, a change from the 3X zoom it had earlier.
For video enthusiasts, the Pro models offer a first-of-its-kind 4K 120fps video recording capability for crispy slow motion, as well as a new JPEG-XL format for your RAW files that takes up way less space.
The list of changes coming to the regular iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus is not all the big, as they retain the same dual camera system as the models from last year. That's a 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide snapper, with the latter now supporting macro photos.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus also sport a new camera module design to accommodate Spatial Video for the Apple Vision Pro.
All four iPhone 16 models get new and more comprehensive Photographic Modes that mimic current and prior editing trends on social media.
PhoneArena iPhone 16 Pro Camera Score
On the PhoneArena Camera Score, the iPhone 16 Pro ranks very similarly to previous models. And that is kind of expected: Apple is not changing much in the processing, so photos and videos from the iPhone 16 Pro look mostly the same as the 15 Pro.
There are some tiny differences in exposure and tonality, but nothing major. And for detail, we don't see big changes either, unless you decide to use the full resolution capture where the 16 Pro series offer that 48MP ultra-wide camera.
Compared to rivals, the Galaxy S24 Ultra scores higher thanks to stronger performance with the zoom camera. The Galaxy has a 3X zoom lens, which covers the shorter zoom range, while the iPhone only has a 5X zoom lens. Overall, zoom quality on the Galaxy ranks higher. It also scores nearly perfectly for portrait mode photo cutouts, while the iPhone still has a bit of trouble occasionally.
- Dive deeper in our iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Review for the details
PhoneArena iPhone 16 Camera Score
When it comes to the vanilla and Plus models, they rank the same as the previous edition. That tiny addition of macro functionality does not alter the total score in a major way.
The big upgrade for the vanilla iPhones clearly happened a couple of years ago, and you can see that well reflected in our camera scores.
As for rivals, they do get higher scores. In the same compact form factor, the Galaxy S24 has a dedicated telephoto camera which elevates its ranking higher. It's not a huge difference but noticeable nonetheless.
iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max camera upgrades
A new ultra-wide camera
Apple has replaced the old 12MP ultra-wide camera it has stuck to for so long with a new 48MP one.
Just like the main sensor, you can use all 48MP of the camera to take high-resolution shots in HEIF and Apple ProRAW. By default, though, you capture 12MP photos, and unfortunately you do not have the convenient in-between 24MP option that you get on the main camera.
Improved main camera
No shutter lag at maximum resolution and ProRAW
The 48MP main camera on the new Pro models comes with a second-gen quad-pixel sensor that eliminates any shutter lag (time between tapping the shutter button and the photo getting snapped) while shooting 48MP images. This is true both when you are shooting at the more storage-efficient HEIF format, and when shooting in Apple ProRAW.
5X telephoto camera comes to the regular iPhone Pro
Apple has added the same 5X tetraprism telephoto lens featured on the pricier iPhone Pro Max to the smaller iPhone Pro, replacing the 3X telephoto lens that was featured on previous generations.
The sensor for the telephoto camera remains the same, though, with 12MP resolution and an f/2.8 aperture.
Photographic Styles on steroids
Apple has introduced new Photographic Styles that are much more customizable and stylistic. These affect images in a more comprehensive and smart way, adjusting to each individual image.
What's more, each style can be adjusted via a single control pad. While this is rather restrictive in terms of what you can affect, it does serve as a quick an easy way to play around with each style and get the desired effect.
Users can now also change the style of a photo after you have already taken it, which is something that wasn't available with the iPhone 15 series. You can even see the style apply during live preview in the camera app.
4K 120fps video
Users can now record video at 4K 120fps in Dolby Vision HDR. With the assistance of an external storage device, you can even record 4K 120fps video in Apple ProRes and LOG.
For comparison, last year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (as well as the models before them) were capable of 1080P at 120fps and 240fps, as well as 4K at 60fps.
Apple has made the 4K 120fps an option both in regular video recording, and Slow Mode. What makes this upgrade even better is that you don't have to choose your frame rate prior to hitting the record button. Users can now adjust the frame rate of videos after they have been captured in the new photos app.
The percentages and frame rates at which you can slow down a 120fps video with the iPhone 16 Pro are as follows:
- 50% / 60fps
- 25% / 30fps
- 20% / 24fps
New microphones for better audio during video recordings
Apple has added what it calls "studio-quality" mics to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, which allow higher audio quality when recording vocals and acoustics. They even help recording Spatial Audio, which can be listened to via AirPods that support that feature.
New Audio Mix feature
A new Audio Mix feature allows the iPhone 16 Pro to identify background noise from speech. The phone then presents you with three presets depending on the type of sound you want from your video:
- In-frame — includes only the sound that is coming from in front of the camera (or what's in the frame).
- Studio mix — eliminates reverb and makes the sound more clear
- Cinematic mix — environmental noises in the surroundings stay in the video, but vocals are pushed to the front for better speech clarity
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus camera upgrades
Camera control
Camera Control is touch and pressure sensitive, so it can recognise different levels of force as well as swiping gestures. It also has a tiny vibration motor that gives you cues for each press. Oh, and it is protected by sapphire crystal so it would scratch easily.
Camera Control on the iPhone 16 series gives you the following functions:
- Opening the Camera or another specified app
- Taking a photo
- Recording a video
- Adjusting zoom
- Adjusting exposure
- Adjusting aperture (depth of field)
- Sliding through different Photographic Styles (on Pro models)
- Helpful grids: Rule of Thirds, Grid, Social Media format (Social Safe), and Director's Viewfinder (on Pro models)
With an update coming later during the year, you will also be able to use Camera Control the same way you would a shutter button on a DSLR camera. With a single light press the camera will lock focus on the subject, and again to take a photo.
Pressing the new Camera Control key will also remove any of the settings and give you a better view of what you are shooting.
Macro photography finally comes to the non-Pro iPhones
Arguably the most exciting thing about the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is that they now support Macro Mode, just like Pro models have since the iPhone 13.
Slightly improved ultra-wide camera
The ultra-wide camera on the non-Pro iPhone 16 models comes with a new slightly faster lens with f/2.2 aperture vs. the f/2.4 aperture of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
Besides the wider aperture, the pixel size has also increased from 1.0µm to 2.0µm, allowing for more light to enter through (up to 2.6x more light). This results in better images in darker environments. It also means that there will be slightly more bokeh (or blurred out background and foreground). Additionally, now the ultra wide camera has autofocus.
New camera layout
The new vertical layout for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus cameras makes the camera island much smaller. (Image credit to AppleInsider)
The wide and ultra-wide cameras on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will come in a vertical orientation to enable Spatial Video, which is intended to be viewed on the Apple Vision Pro headset. Diagonally positioned cameras like the ones on recent non-Pro iPhones can't record Spatial Video, hence the change.
How many cameras does the iPhone 16 have?
The number of cameras on the iPhone 16 series is the same as with the iPhone 15 lineup. That means you get a triple camera system on the Pro models including the main, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come with one camera less, rocking just the main and an ultra-wide snappers at the back.
Of course, all four iPhone 16 models will also come with front-facing cameras embedded in the display.
How many megapixels do the iPhone 16 cameras have?
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max camera megapixels:
- Main (wide-angle): 48 MP
- Ultrawide: 48 MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12 MP
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus camera megapixels:
- Main (wide-angle): 48 MP
- Ultrawide: 12 MP
- Front: 12 MP
iPhone 16 camera specs
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max camera specs:
- Main (wide) camera — 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
- Ultrawide camera—48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 0.7µm, PDAF
- Telephoto camera—12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom
- Front camera—12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm, 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus camera specs:
- Main (wide) camera — 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
- Ultrawide camera—12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF
- Front camera—12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm, 1/3.6", PDAF
Most notable from the specs above is the new 48MP ultra-wide camera on the Pro models. A bit less noticeable is the AF and slightly different specs for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus ultra wide cameras, which make them more sensitive to light.
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