Why Apple is bringing back “Vertical Camera” layout to iPhone 16? What’s their future plan?
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 7:17 pm
WWDC 2023, Apple Vision Pro

It was June 5,2023 when Apple kicked off its biggest and most exciting Worldwide Developers Conference. What was Special about this WWDC 2023? Apple Vision Pro,
At WWDC23, Apple unveiled Apple Vision Pro, its revolutionary spatial computer.
“Heyyy, wwhaaa…?” We are already hearing the word “Spatial Computer”. What is that?
Think of it like this: instead of interacting with a computer through a flat screen, you interact with it in 3D space, using gestures, voice, and eye movements to manipulate digital content that appears to exist in the real world around you.
So, Apple’s VisionPro is a Spatial Computing Headset.
Now, let’s directly jump into one of VisionPro’s feature “Spatial Videos”.
Of course, “Spatial Computing Headset” can be used for viewing Spatial Videos.
But, ”How to record Spatial Videos?” ,“Do we need any special cameras for recording Spatial Videos?”.
So, Apple with their iPhone 15 Pro series introduced a new feature to their camera, “Spatial video capture”.

Iphone 15 Pro series Spatial Video Capture Support

With iOS 17.2, Apple pushed the Spatial video capture feature to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users. Spatial videos are captured in 1080p at 30 frames per second in standard dynamic range.
The Spatial Videos captured, these videos appear as regular 2D clips, they can be easily watched or shared through apps like Messages. Users will also find a dedicated Spatial album within the Photos app, where all their captured spatial videos are neatly organized.
On Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos can be viewed in a standard window or expanded into an immersive experience that transports you back to the exact moment.

Why only iPhone 15 Pro Series?

But these features come with a hardware and Some Computational software requirements.
Spatial video capture on the iPhone 15 Pro series is specifically enabled by the dual-camera system, which includes vertically aligned cameras on the back of the device.
This vertical camera layout is essential for capturing spatial videos because it allows the iPhone to record from slightly different perspectives, creating a 3D-like effect that can be experienced on Apple Vision Pro.
And this is the reason base iPhone 15 didn’t have Spatial video Capture Support.

Iphone 16

So, In May 2023, I tweeted a leak about the Camera design of iPhone 16. Genuinely I was unaware why Apple is bringing back the Vertical Camera design.
But then the VisionPro got unveiled, the iPhone 15 Series got launched and with more leaks with reason behind vertical camera layout became clear,
“Spatial Video Capture”.
With Apple betting on “Spatial Computing” in future it is important for them that they integrate the technology more and more in their upcoming products making users friendly with the technology.
So, they started testing iPhone 16 with vertical camera layout and Spatial video capture support. And the main camera is getting Upgraded from 12mp to 48mp.


Apple’s Future Plan

Apple has a few plans for the Apple Vision Pro, including:
- Cheaper model
- Vision Pro 2
- AR-only glasses
- Apple Intelligence