iPhone 16 Pro Max lens could unlock super-telephoto shots

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone edited July 2023

The rumored periscope camera in the iPhone 16 Pro Max could unlock extremely high zoom levels for users, with a leaker claiming it could offer an "ultra-telephoto" capability to Apple's camera system.

A render of the iPhone 15 Pro Max
A render of the iPhone 15 Pro Max



Current rumors for the iPhone 15 Pro Max indicate it could be the first to use a periscope lens arrangement. While the existence of the component will be useful in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, details about the iPhone 16 Pro Max may demonstrate what it is capable of doing.

In a Weibo leak from the prominent "digital chat station," there are comments about the iPhone 16 Pro Max supply chain. The camera system apparently will consist of a 1/1.14-inch sensor, bigger than the 1/1.28-inch version used in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.

A larger sensor can mean higher resolutions are on the way, but Apple could also maintain the resolution of the sensors and make the pixels in the sensor larger. This can help increase low-light performance, as well as improve the background blur effect, or bokeh.

Along with that sensor, a 7-piece "molded glass-plastic module" lens arrangement will be used, and in a periscope format.

Periscope lenses use a prism or mirror to shine light at an angle, allowing for the lens arrangement to be much longer than the thickness of the smartphone can allow. This can enable extremely long zoom ranges to be produced.

So far, it is believed that periscope lenses will be used only in the Pro Max models of iPhone from the iPhone 15 onward.

While the "digital chat station" comments pertain to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, it's still likely that the periscope lens will appear in the iPhone 15 counterpart.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    jbtuckrjbtuckr Posts: 28member
    Hot take- Apple could totally surprise everyone and introduce the periscopic lens in both pro models. Both phones have plenty of room with the removal of the SIM card. They currently just have a plastic spacer there doing nothing but taking up space 
    9secondkox2watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 10
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,013member
    Been hearing about the “periscope” arrangement for some time. Definitely feel there is truth to it, whether this year or next. Always thought it was connected with iPhone 15 though. Not just 16. 

    That’s an absolutely massive feature. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 10
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,013member
    jbtuckr said:
    Hot take- Apple could totally surprise everyone and introduce the periscopic lens in both pro models. Both phones have plenty of room with the removal of the SIM card. They currently just have a plastic spacer there doing nothing but taking up space 
    Have to agree. No real barrier. But Apple may artificially limit the smaller Pro just to upsell. 
    avon b7
  • Reply 4 of 10
    tyler82tyler82 Posts: 1,108member
    The unreleased iPhone 15 is already outdated  :D
    edited July 2023 king editor the gratebluefire1
  • Reply 5 of 10
    byronlbyronl Posts: 371member
    jbtuckr said:
    Hot take- Apple could totally surprise everyone and introduce the periscopic lens in both pro models. Both phones have plenty of room with the removal of the SIM card. They currently just have a plastic spacer there doing nothing but taking up space 
    That’s US only.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 10
    WolflowWolflow Posts: 9member
    Looking at the render there's still a lot to be improved, the lenses remain a big bump
    baconstangwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 10
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,059member
    9secondkox2 said:
    jbtuckr said:
    Hot take- Apple could totally surprise everyone and introduce the periscopic lens in both pro models. Both phones have plenty of room with the removal of the SIM card. They currently just have a plastic spacer there doing nothing but taking up space 
    Have to agree. No real barrier. But Apple may artificially limit the smaller Pro just to upsell. 
    Gotta love when non-engineers decide they know how to revise the architecture of a highly technical product like the iPhone Pro. Yeah, they could just stick the periscope lens where the SIM card used to be! SMH. Apple's profit from the Pro Max upcharge wouldn't amount to a decimal point on their balance sheet. For $100, it's a larger screen, a larger battery and a larger overall phone body. Apple's interest isn't in upselling regular Pro buyers to the Max to maximize profit but in not losing the business of those who prefer larger screens. For those who prefer the regular Pro form factor, a larger screen just isn't desirable, period, even if Apple were offering it for no upcharge at all. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 10
    tyler82tyler82 Posts: 1,108member
    charlesn said:
    9secondkox2 said:
    jbtuckr said:
    Hot take- Apple could totally surprise everyone and introduce the periscopic lens in both pro models. Both phones have plenty of room with the removal of the SIM card. They currently just have a plastic spacer there doing nothing but taking up space 
    Have to agree. No real barrier. But Apple may artificially limit the smaller Pro just to upsell. 
    Gotta love when non-engineers decide they know how to revise the architecture of a highly technical product like the iPhone Pro. Yeah, they could just stick the periscope lens where the SIM card used to be! SMH. Apple's profit from the Pro Max upcharge wouldn't amount to a decimal point on their balance sheet. For $100, it's a larger screen, a larger battery and a larger overall phone body. Apple's interest isn't in upselling regular Pro buyers to the Max to maximize profit but in not losing the business of those who prefer larger screens. For those who prefer the regular Pro form factor, a larger screen just isn't desirable, period, even if Apple were offering it for no upcharge at all. 
    Gotta love when non-economists with no experience in the finances of a multinational technology conglomerate know the profit margins and R&D costs of said company. 
  • Reply 9 of 10
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,821member
    Plus 3d for AppleVision Pro support on high end iPhones.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 10
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,144member
    I hope it's coupled with some serious mechanical and digital IS.
    watto_cobra
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