iPhone 16 Astrophotography: Can It Compete With Flagship Phones?

The iPhone 16’s camera capabilities have been put to the test with astrophotography, a genre that demands both precision and high-quality sensors. While flagship phones like the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Galaxy S24 Ultra typically dominate in this category, the iPhone 16 presents an interesting case, offering decent performance for casual astrophotography enthusiasts.

Apple’s iPhone 16 features a 48MP main camera that provides surprisingly detailed shots, especially considering its position below the iPhone 16 Pro in terms of overall specs. In fact, the performance of the iPhone 16’s camera rivals that of the iPhone 16 Pro, with the primary difference being a slightly brighter overall exposure in the Pro model, particularly noticeable in shadow details. However, this difference is subtle and does not significantly impact astrophotography results.

The iPhone 16’s astrophotography capabilities are relatively easy to use, but achieving optimal results requires more than just pointing the camera at the sky. Users will need to use a tripod and phone holder to avoid camera shake, especially when shooting long exposures. Setting the camera’s night mode to its maximum exposure time—up to 30 seconds—is essential for capturing enough light to produce high-quality images.

Though the iPhone 16 isn’t likely to match the performance of high-end telescopes like the SeeStar S50, its portability and ease of use make it a solid option for those who want to capture deep space objects without carrying bulky equipment.

The Moon was the first target in the astrophotography test. Despite the bright moonlight, which often disrupts astrophotography efforts, the iPhone 16 managed to capture the lunar surface with its 48MP main camera. However, framing and lens flare were issues, and achieving sharp focus without manual control was challenging. The results were acceptable but lacked the fine detail that would be visible through dedicated telescopes or higher-end smartphones. Even at 10x zoom, the moon appeared as a bright ball in the sky, with limited detail visible.

Next, the test turned to the star cluster M45, also known as the Pleiades. Due to the Moon’s proximity, capturing the stars proved tricky, with lens flare compromising the image quality. However, the iPhone 16’s autofocus did manage to lock onto the correct area of the sky, producing visible images of the cluster. While the Pleiades was still distinguishable, the photos did not show as much clarity as those taken with other flagship devices like the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

The iPhone 16’s performance was further tested with Jupiter, one of the brightest planets in the night sky. Despite the interference from the nearby Moon, the iPhone 16 captured the planet as a bright orb, but the iconic features such as the planet’s red bands and the Great Red Spot were not discernible. Again, the 10x zoom did not improve the image quality significantly.

Finally, the Orion Nebula (M42), a popular target for astrophotography, was captured in the iPhone 16’s frame. The camera did well to pick up the nebula’s glowing core, although the results were not as sharp or detailed as those from other phones like the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The lack of a dedicated telephoto lens also hindered the ability to capture more defined details in distant nebulae.

In conclusion, the iPhone 16 performs adequately for casual astrophotography, but it falls short when compared to more specialized or higher-end devices. While it can capture the basic features of celestial bodies like the Moon, Pleiades, and Jupiter, the results lack the sharpness and detail available from flagship phones with optical zoom lenses or dedicated astrophotography settings. Still, the iPhone 16 offers a reliable and convenient option for users seeking to capture the beauty of the night sky with minimal setup.