Apple launched the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models earlier this month, and while the devices have been received pretty well overall, the company needs to work on some improvements for next year. The cameras specifically were upgraded this year on the standard and 'Pro' models, but they still ranked behind many Android smartphone manufacturers in new tests. DxOMark's ranking suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro Max took the fourth spot in overall camera results.
Apple takes the fourth spot with the iPhone 16 Pro Max in DxOMark's Camera Test
DxOMark has gained quite a reputation when it comes to testing camera hardware and overall photo and video quality over the years. It has become a benchmark for users and tech giants to analyze the performance and quality of the camera hardware on smartphones. It appears that the iPhone 16 Pro Max did not do well in terms of beating some of the Android flagships. While Samsung is nowhere in sight, the iPhone 16 Pro Max also took the back seat this year, with Huawei, Google, and Honor taking the first three positions.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra took the top spot on DxOMark's camera ranking, followed by Google and Honor for best photos on a smartphone. DxOMark's tests include real-life scenarios along with various scientific tests to conclude which camera would deliver the best results for the end user.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple's most capable iPhone to date, was part of the rigorous testing of 3,000 photos and 150 hours of video, and it appears that Apple needs to work on the photos bit. While it all boils down to user preference, Apple's tweaks in minimizing shadows and highlights have been pretty evident. However, the story is quite different in terms of video capabilities.
Even though the primary camera hardware on the Pro Max remained mostly unchanged over the previous model, Apple still managed to make improvements in a range of image quality and camera performance areas. In video mode, the new iPhone again managed to grab the top spot in our ranking, thanks to outstanding test results across the board at 4K resolution and with the 60fps variable frame rate. In addition, the Apple flagship comes with a new 4K /120fps mode and a range of “Pro” modes that allow for customization of settings and are, in this form, not available on competing devices. In photo mode, the camera benefited from improved processing and new editing options. We particularly noticed an improved color performance at default settings.
While the overall rate of improvement in camera performance appears to be slower than in previous years and compared to the competition, users of the new iPhone benefit from the introduction of new imaging features, such as the Undertones and Mood photographic styles, which are not covered by the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, but are designed to address real user needs.
While the 16 Pro Max has noticeably improved in terms of both photo and video, this is not the case for zooming. Our testers did not notice any particular texture improvements with the new 48MP ultra-wide camera when compared to the 15 Pro Max. There was also still a lack of image quality consistency across the tele zoom range, with a noticeable drop in detail at tele settings between 2x and 5x.
The iPhone has been the king of video for a while, and this year, the company has retained its title. The iPhone 16 lineup comes with a new Camera Control button that responds to the device's photos and video-taking abilities, offering users more control over what they are capturing and how they want the image to turn out.
You can check out the full in-depth comparison of the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the company's full article here. We will share more details on the camera capabilities of the device so do stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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