Increased Size of iPhone 16 Pro Models Explained by Major Camera Upgrades, Rumor Suggests

The increased size of next year's iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max allows for upgrades including a periscope telephoto camera and a 12% larger main camera sensor, according to a new report.

iphone 12 pro sensor shift
The rumor was first shared on Chinese social media site Weibo by a user who says that they have obtained industry insider information. Corroborating several other reports that next year's ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro models will feature larger displays, the individual claims that the increased size of the devices will provide more internal space for components including a periscope telephoto camera system. Earlier today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the larger size of the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro models could help facilitate improved camera hardware or bigger internal batteries.

While the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to introduce the ‌iPhone‌'s first periscope telephoto camera, the feature is expected to be exclusive to Apple's largest ‌iPhone‌ at first. With next year's ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro models, Apple is reportedly planning to bring the telephoto camera to both of the "Pro" models. The increased size of the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro, is, therefore, at least partially explained by the need for more internal space to implement the periscope camera on the smaller Pro model.

For the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max or ‌iPhone 16‌ "Ultra," the additional internal space will apparently allow for a larger main camera sensor that is 1/1.14-inches in size. The ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max currently feature a 1/1.28-inch sensor. No sensor size increase is expected for this year's ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro Max. This claim has since been supported by the Twitter leaker known as "ShrimpApplePro."

A larger sensor could improve the main ‌iPhone‌ camera's dynamic range and background blur. It could also substantially enhance low-light photography capabilities since a bigger surface area can capture more light with the same shutter speed and aperture.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

KaiFiMacFan Avatar
35 months ago
Cool, but I hope the image processing software doesn't ruin the pictures taken by the increasingly-impressive hardware. The hardware doesn't mean much if the software simply overrides anything the hardware captures.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
35 months ago
Due to a bigger size, It would be ideal if Under-Display Face-ID debuts with the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.



Attachment Image
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikjadoon Avatar
35 months ago
Even larger sensors to be trashed by Apple Airheads that pushed airbrushed, HDR overprocessing ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kd9tVwkH8').

I still haven't forgotten the horrendous way Apple monkeys with skin tones. We all rave about years of software updates, but apparently this is not fixable years later. Until this junk is fixed, I'll sit out iPhone "upgrades".






Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
phill85 Avatar
35 months ago
Definitely waiting for the 16 Pro
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
35 months ago
How much bigger will these phones get?

leaked iPhone 18 w/ full frame sensor and telescoping optical zoom



Attachment Image
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dz5b609 Avatar
35 months ago

Cool, but I hope the image processing software doesn't ruin the pictures taken by the increasingly-impressive hardware. The hardware doesn't mean much if the software simply overrides anything the hardware captures.
I think you overestimate how good those sensors are by a lot. Even if it would be double the current size it would be a pretty ****** sensor compared to ones in proper camera's with space, you still need a shitton of image processing to make it into something.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)