Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro introduce several upgrades to their photography systems, featuring both hardware and software improvements. These devices come with a familiar camera setup, but new functionalities and features, including the Camera Control button, offer users more dynamic ways to capture images. This new button introduces a more intuitive method for managing camera settings and enhances the overall user experience in photography.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max retains the 48MP main camera but now includes a 48MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.4 aperture, a noticeable upgrade from previous 12MP ultrawide cameras. The telephoto camera remains unchanged, with the same 5X zoom found on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Similarly, the iPhone 16 Pro gains two new cameras: a 48MP ultrawide with an f/2.2 aperture and the same 5X tetraprism telephoto camera found on its larger sibling, providing comparable zoom and low-light capabilities.
One of the standout features in both models is the ability to record 4K video at 120 fps in Dolby Vision, marking the highest resolution and frame rate combination ever on an iPhone. This offers users the potential to capture cinematic-quality videos, all while editing directly on the device. Additionally, the new Photographic Styles give users greater control over color and tone adjustments, making it easier to fine-tune photos to their liking.
Despite these advancements, camera testing reveals only modest improvements over the previous iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pro models. According to PhoneArena’s camera evaluations, the new iPhones perform similarly to their predecessors, with some tests even showing the older models edging out the newer ones in specific aspects. This suggests that while the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pro offer new features, they don’t represent a massive leap in performance compared to last year’s models.
When placed against competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s camera score ranks in a competitive but not dominant position. It falls behind the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max in overall camera performance but slightly outperforms the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Notably, the main camera of the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers a flatter image with less contrast than its predecessor, contributing to its slightly lower camera test scores. While the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pro introduce valuable enhancements, they do not dramatically outshine their rivals or previous models in terms of camera performance.
