Key Points
- iPhone 16 Camera gets a dedicated control button for easy access.
- Action button added to base models for quick customization.
- Improved A18 processor powers camera and AI features.
- Starts at $799, with pre-orders opening September 15.
Apple’s latest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are finally here, debuting at the Glowtime event with fresh new features and improved performance.
Building on the iPhone 15, these new models bring some exciting upgrades—particularly for camera enthusiasts—with a dedicated Camera Control button, enhanced AI capabilities, and the Pro-exclusive Action button making its way to the standard lineup. Let’s dive into what these phones offer.
iPhone 16
– New colors with aluminum finish
– Action button
– New 3nm A18 chip with 2x faster neural engine
– Camera control capacitive slider pic.twitter.com/nQn7aH6WSZ— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) September 9, 2024
iPhone 16 Camera Control and AI Features
One of the standout features of the iPhone 16 Camera is the new Camera Control button, designed to make photography more intuitive.
Positioned on the side, this touchpad-like button allows users to take photos, zoom in, or switch modes with simple gestures.
Slide to zoom, press to capture a shot, and double-press to toggle settings—all without needing to touch the screen. Apple has long positioned its iPhone cameras as DSLR competitors, and this feature enhances that claim.
Beyond improving photography, this button plays into Apple’s push towards Apple Intelligence, their suite of AI-driven features.
A visual intelligence tool allows users to press and hold the button to instantly learn more about objects through the camera—think of it as Apple’s answer to Google Lens.
While this feature won’t be available until later this year, it hints at Apple’s ambitions to turn your iPhone into a smart assistant, learning from and interacting with the world around you.
In terms of camera quality, the iPhone 16 Camera maintains the 48-megapixel main camera but promises better low-light performance thanks to a new ultrawide sensor.
Apple claims it captures 2.6x more light, ensuring clearer shots in dim environments. The cameras are now vertically aligned, enabling the recording of spatial photos and videos for use with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
iPhone 16 Action Button and Enhanced Customization
Previously exclusive to the Pro models, the Action button now comes to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
This customizable button can be programmed for various tasks, like launching the camera, switching to Do Not Disturb mode, or quickly accessing your favorite app.
It adds a layer of personalization and ease of use that fans of the Pro line appreciated last year.
On top of that, both the iPhone 16 Camera and 16 Plus maintain the same screen sizes as last year—6.1 inches for the standard model and 6.7 inches for the Plus.
However, the Pro models this year get slightly larger screens, with the iPhone 16 Pro coming in at 6.3 inches and the Pro Max at 6.9 inches.
The iPhone 16 Camera series introduces a refreshed color palette, with new options like ultramarine blue, teal green, and pink, alongside classic black and white. These bright colors add a touch of personalization and fun to the sleek design.
A18 Processor and Improved Battery Life on iPhone 16 Camera
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 Camera is powered by the A18 chip, Apple’s latest and most powerful processor to date. The A18 enhances performance while enabling the Apple Intelligence features, such as on-device AI processing.
This boost in power should make the iPhone 16 Camera series run smoother, especially when handling high-performance tasks like video editing, gaming, and multitasking.
Battery life sees a modest improvement as well, with Apple claiming up to two more hours of video playback for the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 Plus will offer even more battery life with up to four additional hours of streaming time. Both models support faster 25W wireless charging via MagSafe, though traditional Qi charging remains capped at 15W.
Final Thoughts on iPhone 16 Camera
Apple’s iPhone 16 series brings a thoughtful array of updates that blend customization, AI enhancements, and camera innovations.
With the new Camera Control button, improved battery life, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, these phones feel like a solid step forward.
For those heavily into photography or AI-driven features, the iPhone 16 Camera could be a compelling upgrade.
However, the true test will come when users experience Apple Intelligence in action, as it could be the game-changer Apple envisions.
