iPhone 16 Pro: Rumored Periscope Zoom Camera and More

Politics, News Sept. 20, 2023, 11:29 p.m.

Apples latest Pro iPhones, the 15 Pro Max and 15 Pro, differ with the Pro Max featuring a periscope zoom camera. Rumors suggest the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro will also adopt this technology. The Pro Max may even get a super-telephoto periscope camera, maintaining a technological divide among Apples flagship models.

In a notable departure from the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple's latest Pro and Pro Max models, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, differ significantly beyond their display and battery dimensions. The iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out with its impressive 'tetraprism' periscope zoom camera, in contrast to the iPhone 15 Pro's conventional 3x telephoto camera.

The exciting news for photography enthusiasts is that this outstanding feature is not set to remain exclusive to the Pro Max iPhones. According to the renowned Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo, the forthcoming iPhone 16 Pro, highly anticipated for a September release next year, will also sport a periscope zoom camera. This rumor has gained credibility with previous mentions by Kuo himself, predating the iPhone 15 launch, and reports from the Korean publication The Elec.

Rumors circulating about the screen sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max add weight to this prediction. Ross Young, another reputable source of Apple-related leaks, has indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro will flaunt a 6.3-inch display. This larger screen size is deemed necessary to accommodate the intricate periscope camera system, as the 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 15 Pro falls short in this regard.

Now, let's delve into how Apple's periscope zoom camera operates in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple explains that it achieves its magic by reflecting light rays four times through the glass structure of the lens. This extended light path in a compact design creates sufficient separation between the lens and the sensor, enabling a longer focal length and, consequently, superior close-up capabilities.

While the inclusion of a periscope zoom lens in the iPhone 16 Pro is a significant development, it won't necessarily bridge the gap between the iPhone 16 Pro and its larger sibling, the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Leaks suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max might feature a 'super-telephoto' periscope camera, made possible by its rumored 6.9-inch display.

A 'super-telephoto' lens is characterized by focal lengths exceeding 300mm, making it ideal for capturing detailed shots of distant subjects such as sporting events or wildlife. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max is already poised to be a top contender in the camera phone market, the addition of a 'super-telephoto' periscope camera in the iPhone 16 Pro Max could be a game-changing upgrade.

As a result, it appears that a substantial technological gap could persist between Apple's flagship iPhone models, with the standard-sized Pro iPhones retaining their status as semi-flagship devices for the foreseeable future.