According to a new leak, Apple's purported iPhone 16 series might feature a revamped rear camera design. A leaked image purportedly showing the camera module of the iPhone 16 suggests it could be the first model since the iPhone 12 to sport a vertically positioned camera at the back. Additionally, an unverified leak shows that the iPhone 16 lineup will include five models, with an iPhone "Plus SE" model potentially replacing the current 6.7-inch Plus model.
iPhone 16, 16 Plus May Get Vertical Camera
An image shared by X user Majin Bu suggests that the iPhone 16 will have a vertical camera layout, supporting some earlier reports. Tech publication MacRumors has independently confirmed the authenticity of the I-34 camera project component via industry sources.
"This would appear to be the new camera module of the iPhone 16, as you can see the vertical positioning is confirmed," Majin Bu posted on X, formerly Twitter.
He also posted an image of iPhone 16 camera lens protector.
The placement of vertical camera at the back is said to enhance features like Spatial Video recording. Currently, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can record Spatial Video, a format that captures depth information for immersive viewing in compatible headsets such as the Apple Vision Pro. This capability relies on vertically aligned cameras, which are present in the Pro models with their triple-camera setups, but absent in the non-Pro models.
By reintroducing the vertical camera layout in the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, Apple is likely to extend the Spatial Video recording feature to these models, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
Beyond enabling Spatial Video, the vertical camera layout offers several other advantages. It could accommodate larger sensors, enhancing low-light performance and image sharpness. Moreover, this arrangement might create additional space for extra camera modules, potentially facilitating future camera upgrades for the non-Pro iPhone models.