TechPhonesiPhonesI tried the iPhone 16 Pro on safari – now I want one for the huge camera upgradeThe iPhone 16 Pro’s zoom boost is a game-changerWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesiPhonesI tried the iPhone 16 Pro on safari – now I want one for the huge camera upgradeThe iPhone 16 Pro’s zoom boost is a game-changerWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s zoom boost is a game-changer
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Look, I’m not trying to be one of those people who go on safari and then won’t talk about anything else… but I just went on safari and it wasupsettinglygood. I saw amazing animals, marvelled at them through binoculars, and then struggled to take shots of them with my phone – as anyone who doesn’t own one of thebest DSLR camerason the market would.
I’ve got aniPhone 15 Proas my personal handset, so I’m not exactly playing with a years-old device – but even with its creditable three-times zoom and solid low-light software, I sometimes struggled to avoid grainy shots. Halfway through one of the safari drives I went on, though, someone passed me theiriPhone 16 Proto get a better angle – and from then on I couldn’t find enough excuses to get my hands on it.
A new zoom lens for your iPhone
Image1of2(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of2(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of2
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
WhenApple unveiled the iPhone 16 ProI can’t say I was blown away – the annualbest iPhonerefresh is often interesting specs-wise, but without much of a design change I didn’t see fit to sanction an expensive upgrade this year. Little did I realise how big a simple jump from 3x to 5x zoom would feel in the hand, though.
If you wanted to design an experience to demonstrate the benefits of better zoom, safari would be pretty perfect. While sometimes you’re close enough to smell a lion’s breath, you’re just as often squinting – which means the boosted zoom can be the difference between a superb photo and a grainy mess that can only serve as a memory aid.
Take the Martial Eagle perched in the first photo above – it’s clear enough that I’ll remember the moment easily, but there’s unmistakable grain there, too. If that were on the iPhone 16 Pro, I think you’d be able to tell, and I’d be able to get way closer. Tap through to the next and you’ll see a distant giraffe (I promise you there’s a chilled-out lion cropped out of the bottom of the portrait photo) that would be far easier to get a proper look at with that same boosted zoom.
Camera control enriches the iPhone
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The one major design change for the iPhone 16 lineup is the Camera Control, and it too didn’t seem like a handset-seller to me. In fairness, unlike that zoom, I still feel fine living without it.
That said, for those upgrading it’s a welcome bonus that doesn’t have any downsides, and it did make it easier to take shots in some situations. In my case, it’d also free up my action button, which I currently use as a shortcut to open the camera, and there’s nothing like a new button to play with in your setup.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Being able to swap between photographic styles might come in handy if you find one that really vibes with you, but swiping to zoom in and out was the more natural and satisfying factor in my experience. Whether it’s so much easier than pinching to zoom might come down to your attitude, but I’m far less suspicious of it – having now used it.
Apple’s photo processing remains top-tier
Image1of3(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of3(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of3
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The seemingly invincible adapted Toyota Land Cruisers we rode around in were bumpy, to say the least, and while the best animal sightings involved coming to a standstill, sometimes it would be more of a moving situation. That often meant snapping photos without much of an eye on your phone screen and hoping for the best.
Using both theiPhone 16 Pro and 15 Proin that way was a reminder of just how ridiculously reliable Apple’s photo processing is nowadays. With Live mode on to capture a few more frames, it was a daily occurrence to check out my camera roll after a drive and marvel at the quality of shots that I’d assumed would be blurry messes. We’re living in a long golden age of mobile photography, people!
iPhone video quality remains a strong point
Image1of5(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of5(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of5
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Photos are great, but when you use an iPhone to take video throughout a holiday it really bumps things up to another level. Do those 4K 60fps files squat on a decent chunk of storage space? Yep, for sure, but they’re worth it. The clarity on offer is just silly at times, ticking that “does real life even look this good?” box. AirPlaying them to myLG OLED TVmakes it all the more impressive.
When you add 5x zoom into that mix, you get a camera that can really do whatever you want, smoothly zooming in and out of distant views without breaking a sweat. It really makes the case for the 16 Pro as thebest iPhoneever, to be frank. Whether I can stomach the outlay to upgrade now that I’ve missed my shot at some better safari pics is something I’m going to mull over for a little while, now…
TOPICSapple
TOPICS
Traeger’s new Woodridge pellet barbecues have got me excited for grilling seasonTraeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
Traeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
How to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and what to expectWe should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
We should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
A new Apple TV 4K box is reportedly coming, it’s just a matter of whenWhat will it offer though and will it change design?
What will it offer though and will it change design?
Apple’s affordable iPad set for major speed boost and Apple IntelligenceIt’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
It’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
Apple already sells a device thinner than the rumoured iPhone 17 AirThe slimming world of Apple
The slimming world of Apple
Apple MacBook Pro set for its biggest upgrade in many yearsIt’s great news for Apple fans
It’s great news for Apple fans
Apple iPhone could get a major camera boost… thanks to SamsungYou’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
You’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
If the iPhone 17 Pro looks like this, I’ll eat my hat!Surely this is highly unlikely?
Surely this is highly unlikely?
The next iPhone SE could be in for its biggest change yetBut will it simplify or confuse things?
But will it simplify or confuse things?
OLED iPad mini could be coming in 2026, say insidersApple’s smallest iPad could be getting even more portable – and the iPad Airs could get even slimmer too
Apple’s smallest iPad could be getting even more portable – and the iPad Airs could get even slimmer too
