iPhone 16 Pro Max Rumored to Feature Bigger, More Advanced Main Camera Sensor

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature a bigger, more advanced main camera sensor to deliver improved photography and videography capabilities, according to new information coming out of Asia.

The claim comes from "Digital Chat Station," a Weibo user responsible for a range of details about the camera technology of upcoming iPhone models. According to the latest post on the matter, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be an "image flagship," suggesting that it will be heavily focused on its camera capabilities.

The device's main camera will apparently feature a customized 48-megapixel Sony IMX903 sensor with advanced features like a stacked design for better performance, a 14-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for high-quality image data conversion, and Digital Gain Control (DCG) for better dynamic range and noise control.

The Weibo user also reiterated their previous claim that the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will feature a 12% larger camera sensor that is 1/1.14-inches in size. The ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro models currently feature a 1/1.28-inch sensor. A larger sensor could improve the main iPhone camera's dynamic range and background blur, as well as substantially enhance low-light photography capabilities since a bigger surface area can capture more light with the same shutter speed and aperture.

The leaker also mentioned in passing that the next-generation high-end iPhones will feature a slightly more curved screen design, iterating on the design introduced with the iPhone 15 lineup last year. Corroborating information shared by MacRumors last year, the post added that the iPhone 16 Pro models will have virtually the same thickness as their predecessors.

Digital Chat Station accurately revealed that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would feature a slightly smaller 48-megapixel sensor than the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, as well as the display panel design of the iPhone 12 back in 2020. The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to debut in the fall.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Pro Max Rumored to Feature Bigger, More Advanced Main Camera Sensor

 

[krspkbl]

yey a bigger camera bump!? just what i wanted.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

So again the giant phone having a better camera? That sucks. Give it to the smaller 16 Pro as well!

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

In my experience, even between the 14 Pro Max and the 15 Pro Max there was quite a noticeable improvement to image quality, especially on the telescopic lens. I feel a lot more confident using the 5x option now.

Would love to see a 48-mp or even a 24-mp sensor on future telescopic lenses over more zoom. Image quality is there now, but I'm hoping for better detail in future iterations (which the 48-mp sensor certainly affords).

Here's one off the 15 Pro Max 5x lens, I think it does a solid job.

 

[dz5b609]

The leaker also mentioned in passing that the next-generation high-end iPhones will feature a slightly more curved screen design.

That would be a shame given the current direction of everyone going flat again (which is the superior screen design).

 

[contacos]

I thought the camera was the selling point since at least the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
For me personally, the camera is good enough. I actually opted for the iPhone 15 Plus (instead of another Pro Max) this time around, because battery life was more important to me than yet another camera spec bump. I cannot even tell the difference (for my basic instagram shots) between my previous iPhone 12 Pro Max and the latest.

I basically rate a phone camera by "how blurry is the zoom" to get an idea nowadays haha

 

[krspkbl]

That would be a shame given the current direction of everyone going flat again (which is the superior screen design).

I prefer flat. The slight curve on the 15 pm isn't bad but I don't want it to get any more curvy. I suppose Apple will go back to a flat glass panel with the 17. Gotta keep recycling old designs to pass it off as a new thing another year.

 

[JH101]

I love photography and bought the 15Pro max as a my camera replacement (sold my camera) What i've found is the cameras are amazing and will be in my pocket all the time. However, for 'fun' photography i just bought the ricoh GR3. I think until the Phone becomes 'fun' to use, it won't replace other cameras, even if has better and better image quality.

 

[Account25476]

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I love photography and bought the 15Pro max as a my camera replacement (sold my camera) What i've found is the cameras are amazing and will be in my pocket all the time. However, for 'fun' photography i just bought the ricoh GR3. I think until the Phone becomes 'fun' to use, it won't replace other cameras, even if has better and better image quality.

I didn't intend for it to happen, but I took my DSLR (Canon 7D MK II) on holiday with me in December, but I never unpacked it. For 95% of the time, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was doing as good as or better than the DSLR. My DSLR isn't high-end by any stretch, but I'm comfortable with the iPhone's image quality now.

The DSLR would definitely give more flexibility in low light, but the convenience of the iPhone being in the pocket is enough for me to accept that last 5% as a limiting factor.

 

[Logic368]

I’m so tired of these bricks with giant pill-shaped cutouts and cameras that are way too good for most users. Bring back the mini!!!!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The option to shoot 8K video, as rumored for iPhone 2+ years ago and working in Samsung phones since 2020?

 

[Fuzzball84]

Ohhhhh is that you being happy to see me, or do you have the latest iPhone Pro?

🙄🤔😆👍

 

[Rychiar]

ugh please don’t curve the damn screen

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

The option to shoot 8K video, as rumored for iPhone 2 years ago and working in Samsung phones since 2020?

It would be nice if it matches the quality of 4K captures. That's a lot of data being streamed in the phone internals.

Would really like to see 4K120 in the future, or 1440p240.

 

[aj_niner]

View attachment 2340607

1-inch image sensors?

 

[jlc1978]

Looks like I'll be trading in my 15Pro if this is true...

 

[mazz0]

I've heard the iPhone 18 will have an even better camera, and possibly a faster processor too. It's a few years out so take it with a pinch of salt, but I will say my sources seem pretty confident.

 

[mazz0]

View attachment 2340607

That's actually a lot prettier than the afterthought-just-stuck-in-a-corner look they actually have! Just make it centred so I can hold the phone like an old standalone camera and it'd be perfect!

 

[CosmicTris392]

*sigh* but when will the camera bump be less obnoxious

 

[WiiDSmoker]

I love these filler news. "The next incremental update in XYZ product rumorred to be better/advanced/changed in some ways".

You don't say bro...

The main camera remained the same from 14 Pro to 15 Pro

 

[jlc1978]

*sigh* but when will the camera bump be less obnoxious

When phones get thicker.

 

[azentropy]

I’m so tired of these bricks with giant pill-shaped cutouts and cameras that are way too good for most users. Bring back the mini!!!!

I want something it between. Give us an updated form factor with the 5.8" screen!

 

[marco114]

I feel like they always say the camera is bigger and better, but all the pics I take don't really get any better. If I go back 6-7 years ago, maybe a little better but not a drastic amount. I'm still going to upgrade, but these incremental camera upgrades are weak. Give us an AI Assistant, then I'll be excited.

 

[bodhisattva]

In my experience, even between the 14 Pro Max and the 15 Pro Max there was quite a noticeable improvement to image quality, especially on the telescopic lens. I feel a lot more confident using the 5x option now.

Would love to see a 48-mp or even a 24-mp sensor on future telescopic lenses over more zoom. Image quality is there now, but I'm hoping for better detail in future iterations (which the 48-mp sensor certainly affords).

Here's one off the 15 Pro Max 5x lens, I think it does a solid job.

View attachment 2340605

As a part time professional photographer (shooting with 5D Mark IV and an EOS R3 by Canon), image quality comes from the lens quality. The higher my pro cameras go in terms of mp are 30.4, but the ISO range is 100-32000. The trick is to have a full-frame CMOS sensor onboard. For me the bodies run $3-6k, and each lens anywhere from $2k-10k. For phones to come as far as they have considering the incredible small size, and all we can do with them, I'm amazed each time I shoot. Like many machines/tools..it's all in the hands of the artist the wields it. Great photo by the way!