Rumors Hint iPhone 16 May Revert to Vertical Camera Layout Similar to iPhone 12
A recent report suggests that Apple’s iPhone 16 series might undergo a substantial exterior redesign. MacRumors has revealed mockups showcasing potential design variations for the successor to the iPhone 15, offering insights into what the anticipated handset might entail upon its anticipated launch next year. These mockups hint at a reimagined camera module, potentially featuring a capacitive capture button. Moreover, a newly introduced “Action” button seemingly replaces the traditional mute switch, marking a departure in design for the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Constructed from early pre-production internal design details provided by Apple, MacRumors’ renderings present three distinct designs envisaged for the forthcoming iPhone 16. Among these iterations, the initial depiction portrays a vertically aligned rear camera layout, reminiscent of the setup seen in the iPhone X. Notably, Apple hasn’t employed a vertical camera configuration since the iPhone 12, implying that this prospective alteration in the iPhone 16’s layout aims to set it apart from its predecessors.
The first model in yellow also shows the iPhone 16 equipped with a unified volume rocker, and an Action button. A second mockup showing the phone in pink shows the phone equipped with mechanical volume buttons and a camera module that resembles the iPhone 12.
A third model shows the purported phone in a black colourway that includes the same camera layout and volume as the pink model, but with a larger Action button, and a capture button — both of these could be capacitive instead of mechanical, according to the report.
Apple is reportedly planning to include the Action button on all its iPhone 16 models next year, according to recent reports. This year, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max featured the programmable button, but all four models featured the Dynamic Island that arrived on the iPhone 14 Pro models last year.
The inclusion of capacitive buttons for the Action button and a dedicated camera button in the speculated iPhone 16 release is still uncertain. Earlier reports suggested that Apple had contemplated integrating capacitive buttons into the iPhone 15 series, but ultimately encountered developmental hurdles, leading to the abandonment of this feature. Given the preliminary stage of the development cycle, it remains plausible that Apple’s proposed intentions for the iPhone 16 might undergo revisions or modifications before the designs are ultimately solidified.