iPhone 16 Rumored to Have Vertical Camera Layout Like iPhone 12

[MacRumors]

The rear camera lenses on the lower-end iPhone 16 model will be arranged in a vertical layout, according to information shared today by Twitter account @URedditor. The design change would presumably extend to the iPhone 16 Plus as well.

Vertically-arranged rear camera lenses on iPhone 12​

Apple switched to diagonally-arranged rear camera lenses with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, and the design carried over to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The diagonal layout is expected to continue with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus later this year, but the devices will apparently be the final models to use the design.

If this rumor proves to be accurate, the iPhone 16 would be returning to a vertical layout last seen on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini. The leaker said this change will make the device "instantly recognizable" as the latest model, at least when combined with other newer design aspects like the Dynamic Island and a USB-C port.

It's unclear why Apple might be planning this change beyond aesthetics. When the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini launched, Apple simply said "a redesigned rear camera layout with diagonally arranged lenses enables the advanced dual-camera system," so perhaps Apple has figured out a way to fit camera components within a vertical orientation again.

Diagonally-arranged rear camera lenses on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus​

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 in September 2024, so the device is still far away from launching, and the design plans could change.

Bigger changes are expected for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which will reportedly feature larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively. Those devices have triple-lens rear camera systems, so the vertical layout would not apply.

@URedditor accurately revealed some details about App Clips before the feature launched in 2020, and is more recently known as the first source to share an alleged real-world image of the iPhone 15 Pro with a USB-C port, and various other iPhone 15 details. We'll have a better idea of the source's credibility after the iPhone 15 launches.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Rumored to Have Vertical Camera Layout Like iPhone 12

 

[Liberal]

I always thought the diagonal orientation looked kinda goofy.

 

[techpr]

Now people will tell me I have an iPhone 12

 

[klasma]

I always thought the diagonal orientation looked kinda goofy.

It also increases the “wobble” due to the camera bumps when the iPhone is laying on a flat surface.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The vertical camera layout looks way better.

The regular iPhone lineup has become a part of Lather, Rinse, Repeat phase. ♻️📱

 

[HorstBockman]

I can wait to actually find out.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

Uh, fascinating.

 

[steve09090]

The vertical camera layout looks way better.

The regular iPhone lineup has become a part of Lather, Rinse, Repeat phase. ♻️📱

Totally agree. I mean I like the design but some of the Android phones are stunning because they try new things.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Ok, I don't really care either way.

 

[frownface]

*tremendous applause*

 

[Mr. Dee]

You can certainly tell Apple has kinda run the well dry on innovation for the iPhone when physical changes like this are the big deal.

 

[klasma]

Those devices have triple-lens rear camera systems, so the vertical layout would not apply.

Except that Samsung does exactly that.

 

[pradeepbabloo]

Whats up with all 16 rumours? Are we being forced to skip 15 this year by all these rumours about 16? I hardly saw anything about 15!

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Except that Samsung does exactly that.

Yes, and it's stupid that they do because the 3rd camera is really far from the first.

 

[dampfnudel]

I always thought the diagonal orientation looked kinda goofy.

I don’t know if I would call it “goofy”, but it does get the job done and was necessary.

 

[Populus]

The vertical camera layout looks way better.

The regular iPhone lineup has become a part of Lather, Rinse, Repeat phase. ♻️📱

Yep, I agree, the diagonal allocation of the iPhone 13 gave it a breeze of fresh air to the rear design, and I would inevitably see a vertical orientation of the cameras as an old design.

But honestly I couldn’t care less, with those sizes I’m probably never buying an iPhone 16 or newer. My options in September are: a) iPhone 14, or b) iPhone 15 Pro.

EDIT: Oh, I see you said vertical and not diagonal. Then we disagree.

 

[klasma]

Yes, and it's stupid that they do because the 3rd camera is really far from the first.

Not sure how much of a problem that is in practice. I like the vertical layout (or the horizontal one of the Pixels) because it makes the phone lay more stable on the back.

 

[dampfnudel]

Whats up with all 16 rumours? Are we being forced to skip 15 this year by all these rumours about 16? I hardly saw anything about 15!

The 15 series will look a lot like the 14 series with the exception of the lower end 15 model getting the dynamic island. Maybe that’s the reason there hasn’t been much coverage. It looks like the 16 series will feature a more noticeable difference.

 

[alexandr]

I'm thinking of a domino game using iPhones...

 

[CharlesShaw]

I think all the iPhone 16 rumors are just traps to catch leakers.

 

[DarthDon]

Cam looks kinda empty. Like "i wanna be but i can't". Red is ugly, as long you don't have a job at Ferrari or the Red Cross. Phone is okay.
Yo Tim - i know you read this; when the **** do you change the apple watch to "stand alone"? Needing an multi-sim and a computer for a watch with a (5G?) modem plus a IPhone is really unbelievable those days!!! I'll get my first at the moment you change your mind.

 

[robertmorris2]

I must have missed iPhone 15 !!

 

[JPack]

Is Apple also going back to round edges?

Stuff like this tells you we're at a plateau in terms of design. Can't wait for Apple's folding products to arrive.

 

[steve09090]

You never know, by the iPhone 17, they might change it up and invent a flip or foldable phone!

 

[ghanwani]

I prefer the horizontal layout of the iPhone 8 Plus.

Cleaning up the diagonal mess is a good idea, though. Nice "innovation" there.