iPhone 16e I am shocked! 16e "48MP Fusion camera" sensor size is same as iPhone XR back in 2018!

[drugdoubles]

After 7 years, Cook sells you a XR kind of phone with a XR grade camera sensor with $599, I am impressed. With the name "48MP Fusion camera", I thought Apple would at least sell the iPhone 14 camera sensor and all youtubers are promoting the camera is so good, my guessing was so wrong before I check it out.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which one should you pick?

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: A side-by-side comparison listing five key differences to help you decide which iPhone suits your needs best.

indianexpress.com

How bad is 1/2.55? The latest Xiaomi 15 Ultra phone has 1 inch sensor, which is around 487% sensor size of 1/2.55

48MP photo is nothing. When you zoom in is just some "pattern" without any detail. 1/2.55 photo is not even clear without any zoom in.

 

[RRC]

Firstly the Xiaomi does not have a 1 inch sensor, it has a 1 inch TYPE sensor. Research better!

Secondly, I'm not going to trust indianexpress.com as any source of knowledge - the camera sensor is likely the same as the 14/15 without the sensor shift stabilisation, as you can see on the tear down video that was out the day after the phone was released. You can work that out by the aperture being f1.6 if it was a tiny sensor it wouldn't be that low. The camera is good, I've had the 15 Pro and have a 16e now - in anything but very low light the images are identical whether zoomed (pixel peeping) or regular viewing.

Do you think Apple just magically added megapixels to an old sensor? It doesn't work like that. At worst its the sensor from the 14/15, at best it's a variation of a completely new sensor they've been working on likely that will be seen on the iPhone Air releasing later this year and sits a lot thinner in the body of the device.

 

[drugdoubles]

by the way, iPhone XS was the first phone having 1/2.55 camera sensor, XR was released after like a month back in 2018

 

[drugdoubles]

Firstly the Xiaomi does not have a 1 inch sensor, it has a 1 inch TYPE sensor. Research better!

Secondly, I'm not going to trust indianexpress.com as any source of knowledge - the camera sensor is the same as the 14/15 without the sensor shift stabilisation. You can work that out by the aperture being f1.6 if it was a tiny sensor it wouldn't be that low. The camera is good, I've had the 15 Pro and have a 16e now - in anything but very low light the images are identical whether zoomed (pixel peeping) or regular viewing.

Do you think Apple just magically added megapixels to an old sensor? It doesn't work like that. At worst its the sensor from the 14/15, at best it's a variation of a completely new sensor they've been working on likely that will be seen on the iPhone Air releasing later this year and sits a lot thinner in the body of the device.

Apple iPhone 16e: specs, benchmarks, and user reviews

Apple iPhone 16e – full specifications, battery, camera, display, and performance tests. User and expert reviews.

nanoreview.net

Even having the model name: Sony IMX972 1/2.55"

 

[drugdoubles]

Apple iPhone 16e: specs, benchmarks, and user reviews

Apple iPhone 16e – full specifications, battery, camera, display, and performance tests. User and expert reviews.

nanoreview.net

Even having the model name: Sony IMX972 1/2.55"

another "research" saying it is Sony IMX982, still 1/2.55"

Daniel 的科技日誌 (@danieltechdiary) on Threads

iPhone 16e 正式開售了三日，相信大家都對這個 48MP 融合鏡頭有點好奇，究竟這個鏡頭是否跟 iPhone 16 上的一樣呢？ 經過我們的研究，這次配備在 iPhone 16e 的這個鏡頭是 Sony IMX982，規格為 1/2.55” 感光呎吋、0.7μm 像素大小。其實這個跟iPhone 16 Pro的超廣角鏡頭 IMX972 相若，相信是其小改版。官方指它採用了混合式Focus Pixel，相信是與 IMX972 同樣使用了 2X1 OCL 和 Masked PDAF 對焦（想了解更多可以做留言處的文章看看）。 至於前置的原深感測鏡頭則採用跟 iPhone 16...

www.threads.net

 

[drugdoubles]

the sensor doesn't even have sensor-shift optical image stabilization

iPhone 16e Lacks Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization, Making It Less Effective In Reducing Camera Shake Compared To The iPhone 16 And iPhone 15

A closer look at the iPhone 16e camera reveals that the main sensor is a 48MP unit, but it lacks Apple’s sensor-shift optical image stabilization technology

wccftech.com

I am so shocked, what are they actually selling with $599!? LOL

 

[RRC]

another "research" saying it is Sony IMX982, still 1/2.55"

Daniel 的科技日誌 (@danieltechdiary) on Threads

iPhone 16e 正式開售了三日，相信大家都對這個 48MP 融合鏡頭有點好奇，究竟這個鏡頭是否跟 iPhone 16 上的一樣呢？ 經過我們的研究，這次配備在 iPhone 16e 的這個鏡頭是 Sony IMX982，規格為 1/2.55” 感光呎吋、0.7μm 像素大小。其實這個跟iPhone 16 Pro的超廣角鏡頭 IMX972 相若，相信是其小改版。官方指它採用了混合式Focus Pixel，相信是與 IMX972 同樣使用了 2X1 OCL 和 Masked PDAF 對焦（想了解更多可以做留言處的文章看看）。 至於前置的原深感測鏡頭則採用跟 iPhone 16...

www.threads.net

There are reports of the 16e using a new sensor, until one of the trusted teardown people open it up, no one knows.

fyi... also posted a review that has image comparisons etc... the camera is great, end of.

Posted from another claim:
"The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e do not have the same sensor size on the main camera. The iPhone 16 features a 48MP main camera with a sensor size of 1/1.56". On the other hand, the iPhone 16e also has a 48MP main camera, but with a slightly larger sensor size of 1/1.14"

iphone 16e main camera, in fact, and real world tested, seems superior to the iphone 16 main camera, head to head, shot for shot!
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/ip...ugh-a-10-round-photo-shoot-out-and-im-shocked

 

[drugdoubles]

fyi... also posted a review that has image comparisons etc... the camera is great, end of.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e do not have the same sensor size on the main camera. The iPhone 16 features a 48MP main camera with a sensor size of 1/1.56". On the other hand, the iPhone 16e also has a 48MP main camera, but with a slightly larger sensor size of 1/1.14"

iphone 16e main camera, in fact, and real world tested, seems superior to the iphone 16 main camera, head to head, shot for shot!
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/ip...ugh-a-10-round-photo-shoot-out-and-im-shocked

1/1.14 sensor size is larger than 16 pro max, you believe that kind of joke?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Parts bin phone

Tim Cook special

Refurb 15 Pro (or new on a carrier deal) is a far better use of a similar amount of money

 

[RRC]

1/1.14 sensor size is larger than 16 pro max, you believe that kind of joke?

Based on the images I've seen and taken with my own eyes they're as good in anything but low light...

 

[drugdoubles]

fyi... also posted a review that has image comparisons etc... the camera is great, end of.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e do not have the same sensor size on the main camera. The iPhone 16 features a 48MP main camera with a sensor size of 1/1.56". On the other hand, the iPhone 16e also has a 48MP main camera, but with a slightly larger sensor size of 1/1.14"

iphone 16e main camera, in fact, and real world tested, seems superior to the iphone 16 main camera, head to head, shot for shot!
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/ip...ugh-a-10-round-photo-shoot-out-and-im-shocked

The wording that you posted does not exist in the link, stop posting fake info.

 

[vvvvvv]

Based on the images I've seen and taken with my own eyes... yes.

I've got mine sitting next to me but haven't had time to do tons of testing. Any reputable links/sources comparing it to the 13's photos? Having a hard time giving up the size of my mini.

 

[drugdoubles]

The camera sensor size of the iPhone 16e's main 48MP camera is reported to be 1/2.55 inches. This information aligns with various sources discussing the iPhone 16e’s specifications, particularly in comparison to other models like the iPhone 16, which uses a larger 1/1.56-inch sensor for its 48MP main camera. The 1/2.55-inch sensor size suggests a smaller sensor compared to the standard iPhone 16, which may impact light capture and image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. However, Apple’s official documentation does not explicitly confirm this exact size, instead focusing on the camera's capabilities like the 48MP Fusion system with a 2x Telephoto option. Given the consistency across multiple reports, 1/2.55 inches appears to be the widely accepted specification for the iPhone 16e’s main camera sensor.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Parts bin phone

Tim Cook special

Refurb 15 Pro (or new on a carrier deal) is a far better use of a similar amount of money

Which is why I can't find one here in the UK for love nor money. There's a few sites advertising refurb, nothing in "outstanding condition" and most advertising a battery health of " 80% or better "
I'm keeping my eye on the local market, Gumtree etc, for a private seller

 

[drugdoubles]

Firstly the Xiaomi does not have a 1 inch sensor, it has a 1 inch TYPE sensor. Research better!

Secondly, I'm not going to trust indianexpress.com as any source of knowledge - the camera sensor is the same as the 14/15 without the sensor shift stabilisation. You can work that out by the aperture being f1.6 if it was a tiny sensor it wouldn't be that low. The camera is good, I've had the 15 Pro and have a 16e now - in anything but very low light the images are identical whether zoomed (pixel peeping) or regular viewing.

Do you think Apple just magically added megapixels to an old sensor? It doesn't work like that. At worst its the sensor from the 14/15, at best it's a variation of a completely new sensor they've been working on likely that will be seen on the iPhone Air releasing later this year and sits a lot thinner in the body of the device.

You better really do some research before posting anything next time

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is reported to use a 1-inch type main sensor, often specified as the Sony IMX989 or a similar model in Xiaomi’s Ultra lineup. This matches the typical 13.2 mm × 8.8 mm dimensions. Compact cameras with 1-inch sensors, such as the Sony RX100 or Canon G7 X series, also use sensors with these same dimensions—13.2 mm × 8.8 mm—since they adhere to the same 1-inch type classification. There’s no evidence that compact cameras use a different definition of "1-inch" unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., a larger sensor mislabeled as 1-inch, which isn’t standard practice).
Now, calculating the areas:

• Xiaomi 15 Ultra (1-inch type sensor): 13.2 mm × 8.8 mm = 116.16 mm²
• Compact camera (1-inch type sensor): 13.2 mm × 8.8 mm = 116.16 mm²

The difference in sensor area is:

• 116.16 mm² - 116.16 mm² = 0 mm²

So, there is no difference in sensor area between a 1-inch type sensor in a phone like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and a 1-inch sensor in a compact camera, assuming both follow the standard 1-inch type specification (13.2 mm × 8.8 mm).

 

[sw1tcher]

... and all youtubers are promoting the camera is so good,...

Getting (and trusting) reviews from YouTube 😂 That's your first mistake.

At least with regular web text-based media, a reviewer can easily correct mistakes. YouTubers are not going to go back and re-shoot / re-edit something if they're wrong.

 

[RRC]

You better really do some research before posting anything next time

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is reported to use a 1-inch type main sensor, often specified as the Sony IMX989 or a similar model in Xiaomi’s Ultra lineup. This matches the typical 13.2 mm × 8.8 mm dimensions. Compact cameras with 1-inch sensors, such as the Sony RX100 or Canon G7 X series, also use sensors with these same dimensions—13.2 mm × 8.8 mm—since they adhere to the same 1-inch type classification. There’s no evidence that compact cameras use a different definition of "1-inch" unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., a larger sensor mislabeled as 1-inch, which isn’t standard practice).
Now, calculating the areas:

• Xiaomi 15 Ultra (1-inch type sensor): 13.2 mm × 8.8 mm = 116.16 mm²
• Compact camera (1-inch type sensor): 13.2 mm × 8.8 mm = 116.16 mm²

The difference in sensor area is:

• 116.16 mm² - 116.16 mm² = 0 mm²

So, there is no difference in sensor area between a 1-inch type sensor in a phone like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and a 1-inch sensor in a compact camera, assuming both follow the standard 1-inch type specification (13.2 mm × 8.8 mm).

It’s not a one inch sensor, regardless of it being in a phone or a camera. FACT. I was merely correcting your statement if it being a one inch sensor and I pointed out to you it was a one inch TYPE sensor.

Out if interest, what phone do you have now?

And going back to the 16e sensor I literally posted side by side comparisons and review from a trusted source showing it bettering the Pixel 8a sensor which is 1/1.73″

 

[drugdoubles]

It’s not a one inch sensor, regardless of it being in a phone or a camera. FACT. I was merely correcting your statement if it being a one inch sensor and I pointed out to you it was a one inch TYPE sensor.

Out if interest, what phone do you have now?

And going back to the 16e sensor I literally posted side by side comparisons and review from a trusted source showing it bettering the Pixel 8a sensor which is 1/1.73″

you mean just trust you bro? No evidence, no math, just faith? Did you see the calculation I posted?

 

[RRC]

you mean just trust you bro? No evidence, no math, just faith? Did you see the calculation I posted?

Have you even looked at the link I posted?!
Evidence being I have photos taken with my 15 Pro, and with the 16e - there's no difference.

And FYI... we are talking mm in dimenssion differences so its largely irrelevant!

 

[Total Respray]

Secondly, I'm not going to trust indianexpress.com as any source of knowledge

And why exactly is that…?

 

[drugdoubles]

Have you even looked at the link I posted?!
Evidence being I have photos taken with my 15 Pro, and with the 16e - there's no difference.

And FYI... we are talking mm in dimenssion differences so its largely irrelevant!

I told you the link you posted doesn't include the wording you posted

 

[RRC]

And why exactly is that…?

Because I've never heard of them and whether they can be trusted as any source of tech knowledge.

 

[RRC]

I told you the link you posted doesn't include the wording you posted

I never claimed the wording I posted was from the same link?

 

[klasma]

Here is an interesting analysis:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892483614434062608

Some key quotes:

“Let me put it this way, the iPhone 16e's Single Camera is technically equivalent to the iPhone 12's Main Camera, it has the Same Sensor Size and Lens Design, it's just that the iPhone 16e has a 48MP Sensor instead of a 12MP Sensor, just more Megapixels”

“the iPhone 12 had a 12MP 1/2.55 Sensor with a 26mm f 1.6 Lens Design, the 16e literally mirrors this setup, but instead utilizes the iPhone 16 Pro's Ultrawide Sensor, which is a 48MP 1/2.55 Sensor, and that is remotely not the same as the iPhone 16's 48MP 1/1.56 Sensor”

 

[drugdoubles]

I never claimed the wording I posted was from the same link?

ok, so your posted some random wording. Your link has some "marketing" photos, ok.