iPhone 16 records slow motion through the Camera app's dedicated Slo-Mo mode

Open the Camera app on your iPhone 16 and swipe left through the shooting modes until you reach Slo-Mo. The mode appears between Video and Cinematic. Once selected, frame your shot and press the red record button at the bottom center of the screen — the same button you use for regular video. When you stop recording, the footage automatically plays back at a slower speed than it was captured.

iPhone 16 captures slow motion at either 240 frames per second (fps) or 120 fps by default, depending on which resolution you choose in Settings. The higher the frame rate, the more dramatically slowed the playback appears. You do not need to adjust anything during recording — the phone handles the frame rate automatically once you select Slo-Mo mode.

Key Takeaways

  • Slo-Mo mode is accessed by swiping left in the Camera app and records at either 240 fps or 120 fps depending on your resolution settings.
  • You can change which frame rate your iPhone uses by going to Settings > Camera > Record Slo-Mo and selecting your preferred option.
  • Slow motion video files are larger than regular video because they contain more frames, so check your available storage before recording long clips.
  • You can edit which portions of a slow motion video play at normal speed and which play slow using the Photos app after recording.

Understanding frame rates and resolution trade-offs

iPhone 16 offers two slow motion recording options: 240 fps at 1080p resolution or 120 fps at 4K resolution. The 240 fps option produces more dramatic slow-motion effects but records at lower resolution. The 120 fps option maintains 4K quality but slows motion less dramatically. Neither option is objectively better — the choice depends on whether you prioritize the slowness effect or image sharpness.

Recording at 240 fps creates noticeably smoother slow-motion playback, which works well for fast action like water splashing, sports movements, or objects falling. Recording at 120 fps with 4K resolution is better if you are recording something you might want to view at normal speed later, or if you need the extra detail that 4K provides. You can switch between these settings in the Camera section of your iPhone's Settings app.

How to change your slow motion frame rate

Go to Settings on your iPhone 16, then tap Camera. Scroll down to find "Record Slo-Mo" and tap it. You will see two options: "240 fps at 1080p" and "120 fps at 4K". Select whichever matches what you want to record. This setting stays in place until you change it again, so you do not need to adjust it before every recording.

If you are unsure which to choose, start with 120 fps at 4K. This gives you the sharpest image and still produces noticeably slowed motion. Switch to 240 fps only if you find the slowness effect is not dramatic enough for what you are recording, or if you do not need 4K resolution.

Storage and file size considerations

Slow motion video files are significantly larger than regular video because the camera captures more frames per second. A one-minute slow motion clip at 240 fps can use 400 to 500 MB of storage, while the same length at 120 fps uses roughly 200 to 300 MB. Regular video at the same resolution uses about 100 to 150 MB per minute. Before recording long slow motion sequences, check your available storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

If storage is limited, consider recording shorter clips or switching to 120 fps mode, which uses less space. You can also delete slow motion videos from your Photos app after you have reviewed them, or move them to cloud storage like iCloud Photos to free up space on your device.

Editing slow motion video after recording

After you record a slow motion clip, you can control which parts play slow and which play at normal speed. Open the Photos app, find your slow motion video, and tap Edit. You will see a timeline at the bottom with vertical lines marking where the slow motion effect begins and ends. Drag these lines to change which sections of the video play in slow motion and which play at normal speed.

This editing happens in the Photos app itself — you do not need a separate video editor. The changes are saved to your video file, so the next time you play it back, it will use your new slow and normal speed sections. You can undo your edits at any time by tapping Edit again and selecting Revert.

Common reasons slow motion video looks different than expected

If your slow motion video appears jerky or stuttering instead of smooth, you may be recording in low light. iPhone 16 needs plenty of light to capture 240 fps smoothly. Move to a brighter location or record outdoors. If the video looks too dark even in good light, check that you are not covering the camera lens with your finger while recording.

If the slow motion effect seems too subtle, you are likely recording at 120 fps. Switch to 240 fps in Settings for a more dramatic slowdown. If you are recording fast action and it still does not look slow enough, the action itself may straightforward be slower than you expected — slow motion is most noticeable with very fast movement like a ball bouncing or water splashing.

Sharing slow motion video from iPhone 16

Slow motion videos share the same way as regular videos. Open Photos, select your slow motion clip, tap the Share button (the box with an arrow), and choose where to send it — Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or social media apps. The slow motion effect is preserved in the shared file, so whoever receives it will see the slow motion playback you recorded.

Some social media platforms compress video files when you upload, which can affect quality but not the slow motion effect itself. The slowness will still be visible on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. If you are sharing to a platform that has specific video requirements, check their guidelines for resolution and file size before uploading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record slow motion video in portrait mode?

Yes. Slo-Mo mode works in both portrait and landscape orientation. straightforward rotate your iPhone to portrait and record normally. The slow motion effect applies regardless of which way you hold the phone.

What happens if I run out of storage while recording slow motion?

Your iPhone will stop recording and show a message that storage is full. The video you were recording up to that point is saved. Delete some files or move videos to iCloud to free up space, then you can record again.

Can I convert a regular video to slow motion after recording?

No. Slow motion requires the camera to capture extra frames during recording. A regular video does not contain those frames, so you cannot create a true slow motion effect afterward. You must record in Slo-Mo mode from the start.

Does slow motion video drain the battery faster?

Yes, recording at 240 fps uses more processing power and battery than regular video. If battery life is a concern, record shorter clips or use 120 fps mode instead, which is less demanding on the battery.

Can I use slow motion with the front-facing camera?

No. Slo-Mo mode is only available on the rear camera of iPhone 16. The front-facing camera does not support slow motion recording.