For those following our discussion.

​The iPhone 16 Pro Max features three rear cameras:​

Ultra Wide Camera: 13mm focal length (0.5x), ƒ/2.2 aperture, 48-megapixel sensor with Hybrid Focus Pixels.

Wide (Main) Camera: 24mm focal length (1x), ƒ/1.78 aperture, 48-megapixel sensor with 100% Focus Pixels and second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization.​

Telephoto Camera: 120mm focal length (5x), ƒ/2.8 aperture, 12-megapixel sensor with 100% Focus Pixels, 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and a tetraprism design.​

Sensor Technology:

Both the Ultra Wide and Wide cameras utilize 48-megapixel sensors. Apple refers to these as "quad-pixel" sensors, which is another term for Quad Bayer sensors. This technology allows for enhanced image processing capabilities, such as improved low-light performance and greater dynamic range. ​

Capturing 48MP Images vs. 12MP Images:

By default, the iPhone 16 Pro Max uses pixel-binning to combine four pixels into one, resulting in 12-megapixel images. This technique enhances image quality, especially in low-light conditions. However, you can capture full 48-megapixel images by enabling the Apple ProRAW feature in the camera settings. This setting allows for higher-resolution photos, providing more detail and flexibility in post-processing. ​

It's important to note that the 48-megapixel capability is available on both the Ultra Wide and Wide cameras. The Telephoto camera, however, has a 12-megapixel sensor and does not support 48-megapixel image capture.​

When the Camera Uses Pixel-Binning:

The camera employs pixel-binning in standard shooting modes to produce 12-megapixel images. This approach optimizes image quality by reducing noise and improving performance in various lighting conditions. To obtain full 48-megapixel images, you need to manually enable the ProRAW feature in the camera settings.