Mobile photography has always been a big part of the iPhone, but it could play an even bigger role in this fall's iPhone 16 Pro Max, based on new leaks suggesting a possible camera upgrade.

Similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max that shipped last fall, Apple will again look to turn to a 48MP sensor for the iPhone 16 Pro Max's main camera, says serial leaker and Weibo user Digital Chat Station. However, the leaker also claims that the image sensor size will be increased from 1/1.28" to 1/1.14". This move would improve performance in background blurring and low-light photography.

Digital Chat Station's camera claims were discovered by MacRumors and include leaker claims that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be an "image flagship" with a particular focus on camera features.

In addition to the larger sensor in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, leakers say that this fall's premium phone will feature a 14-bit A/D converter to improve the camera's ability to handle data conversion, image noise and dynamic range more effectively They will also have a digital gain control to process image noise and dynamic range more effectively.

Rumors have been flying around for months that Apple is working on significant camera improvements for this year's iPhone 16 Pro model. One of those rumors says that Apple will bundle a tetra prism telephoto lens only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max into the standard iPhone 16 Pro. The company may also upgrade the ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 16 Pro to a 48MP sensor after years of using a 12MP sensor.

Like Digital Chat Station, other rumor mongers also say that Apple plans to bundle Sony's IMX903 sensor with this year's Pro models and will offer a new sensor size to improve camera quality.

Indeed, most reports on Apple's plans for the iPhone 16 Pro model indicate that the company will focus most of its efforts on improving the device's camera. However, there are also reports that Apple will make other design tweaks to the iPhone 16 Pro. For example, both the Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature larger screens.

Cameras are one of the key areas of mobile devices as phone manufacturers compete to offer consumers the best camera phones. Samsung, Apple's biggest competitor in the smartphone field, just announced the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which has a larger pixel count and an improved telephoto lens. AI-driven features of Samsung phones include one for photo editing.

Apple may be planning its own AI move this year through an iOS 18 update. According to many reports, Apple plans to make AI features a big part of this year's iPhone software, which could include generative AI to help with image editing.

Trying to determine exactly what the notoriously secretive Apple is planning is a difficult endeavor, given the company's aversion to revealing details about its future plans and often makes last-minute decisions about whether to keep or eliminate features on its devices. However, at least in the area of cameras, Digital Chat Station has a notably strong track record in predicting Apple's next steps. Thus, it is realistic that what Digital Chat Station says may actually be accurate.

We will know for sure when Apple releases the iPhone 16 Pro this fall. Until then, expect many rumors to continue to emerge as the launch approaches, including rumors from Digital Chat Station.