iPhone 16 Pro Cameras: 7 Features Apple Absolutely Needs to Add

I’m an expert at taking photos and videos with my phones, so while the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are some of the best camera phones on the market, Apple could have improved the experience. That’s why I’m really looking forward to seeing what the iPhone 16 Pro’s cameras have in store.

This year, both devices are expected to get hardware upgrades, like new ultra-wide cameras and faster A18 Pro chips, that would make them incrementally better. But while Apple has made great strides in getting the most out of its cameras, there’s still room to add more features that meet the needs of today’s enthusiasts and content creators.

For a long time, Apple kept its cameras under lock and key, offering only the essential features. Thankfully, that wall has slowly crumbled over the past few years. With last year’s iPhone 15 Pro, I was happy to see its utility expanded with new features like ProRes Log recording, USB 3.0 speeds for recording to an external device, and an Action button that could be programmed to perform a range of functions.

I really hope we see an expansion with the iPhone 16 Pro’s cameras, because while I’m confident the performance will prove fantastic, it could still be improved everywhere else.

iPhone 16 Pro: the biggest last-minute rumors – YouTube

Watch on

Full manual controls for photo and video capture

Apple iPhone 15 Pro USB-C video recording.

(Image credit: Future)

Fully manual controls are a top priority for Apple, with most of the best phones on the market featuring them to some degree. But it’s fair to say that Apple has gradually rolled out other features over the years that let me tweak camera settings.

I really like that there are options for ProRaw capture and exposure adjustment, but the iPhone 16 Pro series needs a lot more to give photographers more control over their shots. I’d like to see a manual mode that gives access to shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and more for things like action shots or long exposures. These common camera settings should be accessible for both photo and video capture.

Using AirPods as a wireless audio source

Apple AirPods Pro worn by tester Alex Bracetti

(Photo credit: Tom’s Guide)

This one is at the top of my list because I’ve been asking for it for years now, but Apple hasn’t quite nailed the perfect marriage yet. I honestly have no issues with the sound when the iPhone is recording video when it’s within reach – but there’s no way it can properly pick up my voice from further away.

That’s why I wish the iPhone 16 Pro’s cameras would give us the ability to use any of the best AirPods, or any other best wireless earbuds for that matter, as a wireless microphone when recording video. This isn’t technically new as the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers exactly this feature for better audio, while the GoPro Hero 12 Black also introduced it last year.

Maximum focus

Speaking of manual controls, one particular setting I’d like to see with the iPhone 16 Pro’s cameras is the ability to adjust focus. I really don’t have a problem with the current autofocus system on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, but there are still times when I’d rather control it myself.

That said, it would be nice if Focus Peaking were offered with the iPhone 16 Pro cameras, because just like today’s standard mirrorless cameras, Focus Peaking would highlight areas that are in focus, so the photographer can better distinguish what’s in focus and what’s not. The crazy thing is, the Galaxy S8 offered exactly this feature.

Multi-camera capture

iPhone 14 Pro Max

(Photo credit: Tom’s Guide)

Another video capture feature I’ve been asking for for years now is to natively give the iPhone the ability to record video from all of its cameras simultaneously, including the selfie camera. As someone who frequently shoots acting reels for aspiring actors, this would give me more flexibility for switching frames during scenes.

This is indeed possible with existing iPhones, but only through third-party apps like Filmic Pro’s DoubleTake. However, I’d like to see this become a native feature with the camera app, with the ability to record and save clips individually, which I could then use later to stitch together myself.

Better voice control with Siri

Siri animation in iOS 18.1 developer beta.

(Image credit: Future)

You might think that Siri could be useful for taking your group photos with a voice command, but unfortunately, the voice assistant can’t do that. Instead, you can only tap Siri to launch the Camera app or switch it to photo/video mode, but it can’t take the photo for you.

I thought the new Siri with Apple Intelligence could do this with the iOS 18 beta, but it too can’t perform this simple act. Adding this voice command would be helpful instead of relying on the timer feature.

Auto tracking to lock focus and exposure

iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max next to each other.

(Image credit: Future)

After using the Pixel 8 Pro for nearly a year, there’s one camera feature I’ve come to consistently use: Auto Tracking with Video Recording. Specifically, this feature locks the camera’s focus and exposure on the person you’ve selected, so they take priority in the photo.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s video recording capabilities could certainly be improved with this, as it can only lock focus and exposure to a single point, rather than being able to track a moving subject.

Built-in teleprompter

Using the Elgato Prompter to Read a Script

(Photo credit: Tom’s Guide)

In the age of TikTok and Instagram reels, more and more people are getting in front of the camera to talk about multiple topics. That’s why I wish the iPhone 16 Pro cameras offered some sort of teleprompter when using the front-facing camera. There are third-party apps that do this, as well as real teleprompters like the Elgato Prompter , but I think it would be a plus if it were a native option in the camera app by scrolling through a script you’ve written on the screen.