People are putting their new iPhone 16 in socks to make it a pro-grade microphone - works like magic
This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
There are several pro-grade features on the new iPhone 16 Pro that creators will find useful and maybe even game-changing but the iPhone 16 Pro’s quad microphone setup and the new Audio Mix features is what really caught the attention of amateur, semi-pro, and pro creators - including myself.
Spoiler alert - iPhone 16 Pro might be the biggest leap forward for audio recording on smartphones in a really long time, and while Google was first to use “AI” processing to improve the audio experience on the Pixel (with Audio Magic Eraser), the iPhone’s new hardware-software combo takes things to a whole new level.
I’ve gone through a bunch of reviews and user experiences that highlight some pretty cool aspects of these upgrades, and I’m very impressed from what I’m hearing - literally and figuratively.
The new audio experience on iPhone 16 Pro wouldn’t be possible without the quad microphones Apple added this year, and while the vanilla iPhone 16 has the same Audio Mix feature set as the pro model, it’s the 16 Pro that captures the best, most balanced, and most “spatial” audio between the two.
This can be a game-changer if you’re recording in an untreated room or space with echo - which most amateur and semi-pro YouTubers and music producers do. So, I can definitely see musicians or podcasters using this feature when they don’t have access to a professional recording setup but still want to capture usable sound that can end up on YouTube or Spotify.
Moreover, if you’re someone who performs live, whether you're a musician, comedian, or public speaker, I see the iPhone 16 Pro serving as a substitute for Lav mics (like the ones from DJI). The obvious downside here is that, unlike a clip-on mic, you have to hold the iPhone, which might be less convenient for some. But the sound quality might just be worth it, especially if you’re syncing it with video from a dedicated camera. Plus, good Lav mics go for $100-300.
There’s something interesting I noticed while going through a bunch of video samples, which is that despite the impressive microphone quality, the iPhone’s built-in speakers might not be the best way to experience the improvement in audio quality.
This means that while you’re recording “studio-grade” audio, you might not fully appreciate it unless you listen through earbuds, headphones or external speakers. In fact, you can check this for yourself by simply listening to the video samples on your iPhone’s speakers and then through earbuds/headphones. You’d hear a big difference in the depth of the audio.
But all in all, in terms of recording flexibility, the iPhone 16 Pro’s quad microphones combined with the Audio Mix options are a more than welcome upgrade for content creators and casual users like me.
Even if you’re not a tech person, the ability to isolate your voice in noisy environments or make your audio sound more professional with just a tap is pretty incredible.
Whether you’re recording a podcast, voice memos, or even a song sample/demo, the iPhone 16 Pro now offers convenience and sound quality that’s hard to beat. So… Good job, Apple!
Now, if only Tim Cook & Co could work some magic on the speakers to make playback sound as good as the recording…
Spoiler alert - iPhone 16 Pro might be the biggest leap forward for audio recording on smartphones in a really long time, and while Google was first to use “AI” processing to improve the audio experience on the Pixel (with Audio Magic Eraser), the iPhone’s new hardware-software combo takes things to a whole new level.
Your iPhone 16 Pro can be your new default microphone for content creation - putting it in a sock unlocks next-level audio quality
The new audio experience on iPhone 16 Pro wouldn’t be possible without the quad microphones Apple added this year, and while the vanilla iPhone 16 has the same Audio Mix feature set as the pro model, it’s the 16 Pro that captures the best, most balanced, and most “spatial” audio between the two.
YouTubers who make videos for a living are already enjoying the fruit of Apple’s labor for their content creation, and the consensus seems to be that you can genuinely use just the iPhone 16 Pro to record podcasts, YouTube videos, voiceovers, and even music samples.
Take YouTuber Patrick2Masso who used his iPhone 16 Pro as an external microphone to record the video you see above. What’s even more interesting is that he put his iPhone 16 Pro in a sock to reduce popping sounds (like when you say words with “p” or “b”). And guess what? It works wonders!
It’s a weird hack, but it shows how little the iPhone 16 Pro’s built-in microphones need to become pro-grade audio equipment.
Now, this doesn’t mean the iPhone 16 Pro is perfect when it comes to capturing pro-grade audio.
Some users have noted that while the different Audio Mix modes like “In-frame” and “Studio” can reduce background noise or boost mid-range sounds, they sometimes alter your voice a bit, making it sound less natural.
For instance, I can clearly hear that the “In-frame” mode is great if you’re recording in a noisy environment (like a busy street or coffee shop), because it isolates sounds directly in front of the camera, letting your voice stand out while eliminating background noise.
This can save your content in situations where the noise would usually ruin the recording. However, for more natural-sounding recordings, you might need to stick to the original audio capture, as the modes make it sound a bit robotic/filtered.
iPhone 16 Pro’s four microphones with Audio Mix work miracles for audio quality on iPhone but they have a few limitations
Now, this doesn’t mean the iPhone 16 Pro is perfect when it comes to capturing pro-grade audio.
Some users have noted that while the different Audio Mix modes like “In-frame” and “Studio” can reduce background noise or boost mid-range sounds, they sometimes alter your voice a bit, making it sound less natural.
For instance, I can clearly hear that the “In-frame” mode is great if you’re recording in a noisy environment (like a busy street or coffee shop), because it isolates sounds directly in front of the camera, letting your voice stand out while eliminating background noise.
On the other hand, the “Studio” mode sounds awesome for people like me who dabble in music or voice recording. It appears to be designed to enhance lower frequencies, reduce echo, and make your voice sound more like it’s being recorded on a professional microphone.
This can be a game-changer if you’re recording in an untreated room or space with echo - which most amateur and semi-pro YouTubers and music producers do. So, I can definitely see musicians or podcasters using this feature when they don’t have access to a professional recording setup but still want to capture usable sound that can end up on YouTube or Spotify.
Moreover, if you’re someone who performs live, whether you're a musician, comedian, or public speaker, I see the iPhone 16 Pro serving as a substitute for Lav mics (like the ones from DJI). The obvious downside here is that, unlike a clip-on mic, you have to hold the iPhone, which might be less convenient for some. But the sound quality might just be worth it, especially if you’re syncing it with video from a dedicated camera. Plus, good Lav mics go for $100-300.
Even if iPhone 16 Pro has improved sound, the quad mics might be too good for the iPhone’s dual speakers now
Skip to minute 2:15 to hear the speaker comparison between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
That’s not to say the iPhone 16 Pro’s speakers are bad. In fact, iPhones are known for having the best speakers in the industry. It’s just that there’s only so much a tiny phone can do to make your audio sound as great as it is.
This means that while you’re recording “studio-grade” audio, you might not fully appreciate it unless you listen through earbuds, headphones or external speakers. In fact, you can check this for yourself by simply listening to the video samples on your iPhone’s speakers and then through earbuds/headphones. You’d hear a big difference in the depth of the audio.
iPhone 16 Pro is changing the audio game for smartphones - Android should “copy” ASAP
But all in all, in terms of recording flexibility, the iPhone 16 Pro’s quad microphones combined with the Audio Mix options are a more than welcome upgrade for content creators and casual users like me.
Even if you’re not a tech person, the ability to isolate your voice in noisy environments or make your audio sound more professional with just a tap is pretty incredible.
Whether you’re recording a podcast, voice memos, or even a song sample/demo, the iPhone 16 Pro now offers convenience and sound quality that’s hard to beat. So… Good job, Apple!
Now, if only Tim Cook & Co could work some magic on the speakers to make playback sound as good as the recording…
How about an iPhone 17 Pro with… quad speakers?
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