Over the course of the last few months, Apple has been experimenting with different camera bump designs for the standard iPhone 16 models. We outlined three of Apple’s prototype designs back in December, but now Apple has shifted focus once again.
Apple’s latest prototype features a vertical camera arrangement with a pill-shaped raised surface, and we’ve created a series of mockups based on internal designs to help readers visualize the change.
The pill-shaped camera bump features two separate camera rings for the Wide and Ultrawide cameras, adopting some of the stylistic cues from earlier prototype designs. A vertical camera arrangement has remained consistent throughout the prototyping process, and Apple has not changed the position of the flash or the camera lenses with this latest update.
Our findings align with schematics recently shared by Majin Bu on social media website X. Bu’s leaked images also feature the same updated design.
The latest camera look that Apple is experimenting with draws inspiration from older iPhone models, such as the iPhone X. The iPhone X also had a pill-shaped camera with a slim bump design. While Apple used a vertical camera for the iPhone 12 as well, it had a wider square bump that also housed the flash and microphone.
With the vertical camera layout, we are expecting Apple to bring Spatial Video recording to the base model iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models. Right now, the iPhone 15 models have a diagonal camera arrangement and are not able to capture spatial video, a feature that is so far limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and the Vision Pro headset itself.
Apart from the updated camera bump design, more recent iPhone 16 prototypes include slight modifications to the Action Button and Capture Button, as we reported previously. The latest prototype units feature a smaller Action Button, akin to the one used on iPhone 15 Pro, along with a pressure-sensitive Capture Button that sits flush with the frame of the device. While the camera bump design is largely a cosmetic update affecting the glass backplate, the change to the Action Button during the prototyping phase is more significant. Apple’s updates suggest that it has scrapped its initial idea of bringing a capacitive Action Button to the iPhone 16 range.
Note that what we’ve shared here is sourced from pre-production information, and it may not ultimately reflect the design of the final mass-production units that are released this fall. As we’ve seen with previous iPhone models, Apple creates multiple designs and hardware configurations as part of the development process, and the iPhone 16 range is no exception. More tangible information will come to light as the devices move closer to the EVT (Engineering Validation Testing) phase of development.
For additional details on what to expect, check out our dedicated rumor roundup pages for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.
Popular Stories
Apple Releasing iOS 17.4 in March With These New Features and Changes
Apple last month confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March, and the update includes several new features and changes for the iPhone. Key new features in iOS 17.4 include major App Store changes in the EU, Apple Podcasts transcripts, SharePlay for the HomePod, and new emoji. The update also includes preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this year. Apple’s pres…
Apple Preparing iOS 17.3.1 Update for iPhone
Apple appears to be internally testing an iOS 17.3.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software version in our website’s analytics logs this week. Our logs have revealed the existence of several iOS 17 versions before Apple released them, ranging from iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 17.2.1, so there is a good chance that Apple will follow through with releasing iOS 17.3.1. iOS 17.3.1…
Next-Generation Apple CarPlay Will Feature These 8 New Apps
Apple recently updated its website to confirm that the first U.S. vehicle models with next-generation CarPlay support will debut in 2024. The first beta of iOS 17.4 references eight new CarPlay apps:Auto Settings: This app will let you manage paired iPhones and adjust vehicle settings. Car Camera: This app will display the vehicle’s rear-view camera feed. Charge: For electric vehicles,…
iFixit Shares Apple Vision Pro Teardown
Saturday February 3, 2024 2:40 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The well-known repair website iFixit today shared a written teardown and video teardown of the Apple Vision Pro, offering a look inside the mixed reality headset. iFixit’s disassembly of the Vision Pro reveals several internal components, including an array of cameras and sensors, fans, lens motors, and more. Unsurprisingly, it appears that opening and repairing the headset will be…
Videos: Apple Vision Pro Tested for Work, Gaming, Flying, and Sports
Apple Vision Pro launched in the U.S. on Friday, and there are already several YouTube videos that demonstrate using the headset for remote work, gaming, in-flight entertainment, watching sports, and more. We have rounded up these videos below. If you want to experience the Vision Pro for yourself, you can book an appointment for a free Vision Pro demo at any Apple Store in the U.S. on…
