iPhone 16 Prototype Mockups Hint at Redesigned Camera Layout, Modified Volume Buttons

iPhone 16 could bring back the vertical camera layout last used by Apple on the iPhone 12.

Written by David Delima, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 13 December 2023 12:29 IST

iPhone 16 Prototype Mockups Hint at Redesigned Camera Layout, Modified Volume Buttons

Apple introduced a matte finish on the standard models with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus (pictured)

Highlights

iPhone 16 could be equipped with an Action button to replace mute switch
Only the iPhone 15 Pro models featured the Action button this year
The vertical, unified dual camera island may also return with iPhone 16

Apple's purported iPhone 16 series of smartphones might feature a new external design, according to a report. Mockups of the rear and side of the successor to the iPhone 15 created by MacRumors show different design options reportedly considered by Apple for the handset that is expected to debut next year. The iPhone 16 could feature a redesigned camera module with a capacitive capture button, along with an Action button — the latter replaced the mute switch for the first time on the iPhone 15 Pro models.

MacRumors' mockups of the iPhone 16, created from 'early pre-production' internal design details from Apple, show three different designs for the upcoming handset. The first one shows the handset with a vertically aligned rear camera layout, similar to the iPhone X. Apple hasn't used a vertical camera layout since the iPhone 12, so changing the layout on the iPhone 16 will help the handset stand out from its predecessors.

MacRumors' mockups of the three iPhone 16 prototypes
Photo Credit: MacRumors

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.

It remains to be seen whether Apple will launch the iPhone 16 with capacitive buttons for the Action button and the dedicated camera button. Apple was previously expected to equip the iPhone 15 series with capacitive buttons, but shelved its plans due to development challenges, according to reports. As it is considerably early in the development cycle, it is likely that Apple's purported plans for the iPhone 16 could also change or evolve before the designs are finalised.

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Apple iPhone 15

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Big upgrades over the 14
Excellent ergonomics, build quality
Very good all-round performance
Apple ecosystem benefits

Bad
Relatively slow charging
Expensive
Still a 60Hz display

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

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Apple iPhone 15 Plus

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1290x2796 pixels

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent display
USB Type-C
AAA gaming
Excellent all-round performance
Good primary and telephoto camera
Customisable Action Button

Bad
Gets hot quickly when stressed
Slow wired charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1290x2796 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 12

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Very good build quality
Dolby Vision HDR video recording
Excellent cameras
Smooth performance in everyday use

Bad
Battery life could be better
Gets warm when stressed

Read detailed Apple iPhone 12 review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A14 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 64GB

OS iOS 14

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

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Apple iPhone X

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Stunning design and display
Great cameras
Wireless charging
Assured, timely software updates

Bad
Costs a small fortune
First party apps not great in India
Fast charger not bundled

Read detailed Apple iPhone X review

Display 5.80-inch

Processor Apple A11 Bionic

Front Camera 7-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 3GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 2716mAh

OS iOS 11

Resolution 1125x2436 pixels

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Choose a variant

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Further reading: iPhone 16, iPhone, iPhone 16 design, iPhone 16 Action button, iPhone 16 camera, Apple

David Delima

Email David Delima

As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More