The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro could bring a significant improvement to iPhone cameras by introducing a new lens coating that will specifically target and reduce lens flare, a long-standing issue that has affected iPhone cameras for generations. This new lens coating is expected to come from the adoption of an atomic layer deposition (ALD) manufacturing process, providing more precise control over the creation of coatings on highly curved surfaces such as iPhone camera lenses. This switch to ALD-based coatings could potentially enhance overall photo quality and address a common complaint among iPhone users.
Lens flare has been a problem for iPhone cameras despite their excellent overall performance. This issue manifests as bright spots or ghost images visible when shooting towards bright light sources and has been a particular source of frustration for iPhone users over the years. Test results from Dxomark have also highlighted lens flare problems on various iPhone models, including the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro. Should the reports of switching to ALD-based coatings be accurate, it could significantly improve the performance of iPhone cameras and enhance the user experience.
In addition to the new ALD lens coating, further upgrades are expected to be included in the iPhone 16 range. Forbes contributor Ewan Spence reports that the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro may feature an upgraded main camera sensor with improved light-gathering capability, more powerful optical zoom, and advancements in AI-powered camera technologies. Apple has already introduced an open-source generative AI model, MGIE, for editing images using text-based prompts, signaling a potential challenge to competitors like Google and Samsung in the generative editing tools arena.
Furthermore, the iPhone 16 Pro is rumored to receive a 5x optical zoom tetraprism lens, currently only available on the largest iPhone 15 Pro Max model. This enhancement will bring Apple’s most powerful zoom capabilities to the smaller Pro model. However, speculation suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro Max may feature an even more potent “ultra-long” telephoto camera, potentially setting it apart as the flagship model in the iPhone 16 range. These upgrades indicate a focus on improving camera capabilities and technologies to provide users with enhanced photographic experiences.
While the leaker predicts that the new ALD lens coating may debut as early as the iPhone 16 range, they acknowledge that users may have to wait until the iPhone 17 for this feature to be implemented. As Apple continues to innovate and enhance iPhone camera technologies, consumers can look forward to improved photo quality, reduced lens flare, and advancements in zoom capabilities and AI-powered editing tools. The iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be a promising update that could address longstanding camera issues and offer exciting new features for photography enthusiasts.
