Over the past few months, Apple has been experimenting with different camera notch designs for the standard iPhone 16 models. We outlined three Apple design prototypes back in December, but now Apple has shifted its focus again. Apple’s latest prototype has a vertical camera layout. We created a series of mock-ups based on the pill-shaped embossed surface and interior design to help readers visualize the changes.

The pill-shaped camera bump features two separate camera rings for wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras, carrying some stylistic features from earlier prototypes. The vertical camera position remained the same throughout the prototyping process, and Apple did not change the position of the flash or camera lenses in this latest update.

Our findings are consistent with models recently published by Majin Bu on social media website X. The leaked images of Boo also feature the same updated design.

The latest camera look Apple is trying out is inspired by older iPhone models like the ‌iPhone‌ X. The ‌iPhone‌ X also featured a slim-bezel, pill-shaped camera. Although Apple also used a vertical camera for the ‌iPhone‌ 12, it featured a larger square notch that also houses the flash and microphone.

With the vertical camera arrangement, we expect Apple to bring spatial video recording to the base model ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus. Currently, iPhone 15 models have a cross-camera layout and cannot shoot spatial video; So far, this feature has been limited to iPhone 15 Pro models and the Vision Pro headset itself.

In addition to the redesigned camera bump, the newer ‌iPhone 16‌ prototypes feature minor changes to the action buttons and shutter button, as we previously reported. The latest prototypes include a pressure-sensitive capture button that sits flush with the frame of the device, along with a smaller action button similar to the one used on the “iPhone 15 Pro.” While the design of the camera bump is mostly a cosmetic update affecting the glass back, the prototyping action button change is more noticeable. Apple’s updates show that the company has abandoned its original idea of ​​adding a capacitive action button to the “iPhone 16” series.

Note that what we share here is based on preliminary information and may not reflect the design of final production units that will be released this fall. As we’ve seen with previous ‌iPhone‌ models, Apple creates multiple designs and hardware configurations as part of its development process, and the ‌iPhone 16‌ series is no exception. More concrete information will emerge as devices approach the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) development stage.

Check out our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro rumor review pages for more information on what to expect.