Adam Kos Apple is known for only changing things when it really makes sense, and then after a lot of testing. This is especially noticeable on iPhone cameras. Whether it is the hardware itself or the design of the entire module, the company is careful and careful when introducing changes. That's why it's a big step now that the iPhone 16 camera design will change after three years.
But of course it's not just because Apple's designers are bored. It is a change that will bring a significant change in functionality, even if in appearance we will actually return to the old design that we saw in the iPhone 11 and 12. It was the iPhone 11 that brought a change in the layout of the cameras from the "pill" known from the iPhone X and XS series to a square layout . iPhones 11 and 12 had both lenses below each other, i.e. arranged vertically, while iPhones 13 to 15 already diagonally. Apple justified this change not only by a more interesting composition, but also by the fact that the ever-increasing hardware fits better in the body of the iPhones.
Gallery
Spatial video
So this arrangement has its advantages, but now there are also disadvantages. Apple Vision Pro is a clear trend (or at least Apple wants it to be), and the company wants to support it as much as it can. That is why the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max can record Spatial Video, i.e. spatial video that you can play in 3D in Vision. However, this requires the use of a main wide-angle camera as well as an ultra-wide-angle lens, and of course in a side-by-side or underneath arrangement. The diagonal one would cause unwanted distortions.
It could be interest you
In order to support the entire Vision platform, including future more affordable products, Apple needs to create content for them. How about the fact that the content you upload today can be played on a Vision family device in, say, 5 years from now. The important thing is that you will be able to and will no longer be limited by technology. And why limit more affordable devices in this regard, when we know that a cheaper Apple headset will also come (it's not for nothing that the very first product of the Vision family has the nickname Pro).
Apple states this: "Let the memories come alive in 15D videos. iPhone 3 Pro can shoot XNUMXD videos with advanced cameras - ultra-wide-angle and main. So you can relive your experiences in Apple Vision Pro."
Gallery
But Apple is reportedly testing two designs. One should be one that rather copies the iPhones 11 and 12 and just enlarges the module, the other is the one we already know from the iPhone X and iPhone XS, so in the shape of a pill that will only be enlarged and again in a square module. The renders also show the speculated Capture button and split volume buttons. But we will know for sure how it will be in the finals only in September.
