We noted ahead of the iPhone 16 launch that the device could technically support 8K video recording, but it was possible Apple would hold this back for the iPhone 17.
Apple did indeed withhold it from the iPhone 16 – arguably with good reason – and a leaker with a decent track record backs our expectation that 8K video capability will be offered in the iPhone 17 line-up …
iPhone 16 video capabilities
All iPhone 16 models support 4K video recording. This includes slo-mo footage of 60fps on the standard, Plus, and 16e models – and 120fps on the Pro and Pro Max.
Ahead of the launch, we saw evidence that Apple had tested 8K recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but noted at the time that there was one reason not to include it.
When it comes to videos, iPhone 16 Pro will shoot videos in 4K resolution at 120fps for the first time (iPhone 15 is currently limited to 4K 60fps) […]
We’ve also seen evidence that Apple has tested 8K video filming with the iPhone 16 Pro. Since an 8K image is around 35 megapixels, both wide and ultra-wide lenses would have enough resolution to shoot 8K video. Of course, the new A18 Pro chip seems to be ready for 8K as well.
However, it’s unclear whether Apple has decided to enable 8K on production devices, especially as the zoom lens would still be limited to 4K. Apple might save 8K for next year’s iPhones, which are rumored to have a new, higher resolution zoom lens.
iPhone users expect to be able to switch between lenses while shooting, so it would be confusing if they were unable to switch to the telephoto lens while shooting 8K video.
iPhone 17 expected to offer 8K video
The iPhone 16 has a 12MP telephoto sensor, but the iPhone 17 will reportedly see a big jump to a 48MP telephoto camera. This means that all three cameras would be capable of shooting 8K video, and we expect Apple to offer the increased resolution in this year’s iPhones.
Leaker Fixed Focus Digital, whose track record includes the Desert Titanium color and the iPhone 16e naming, now backs this. A somewhat awkward machine translation from Chinese includes the note:
With 8K in hand, you should look forward to the iPhone 17 series.
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