In contrast to the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple has decided to offer the same lenses for the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro, which would therefore be entitled to a significantly stronger zoom.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro // Source: Frandroid
When presenting the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, Apple relied on a major innovation by integrating new telephoto lenses into its two highest-quality smartphones. However, the two 2024 models were not in the same boat. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a lens that offers 10x zoom thanks to a 240mm equivalent lens, the iPhone 15 Pro is limited to a module with a 5x optical zoom and an equivalent focal length of 120mm .
However, this could change with the next generation of iPhones, as reported by MacRumors. In an article published this Wednesday, the website specializing in Apple news states that it has learned that “Apple intends to implement a tetraprism photographic lens on both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.”
A zoom that allows you to see much longer on the iPhone 16 Pro
Remember that “tetraprism” is the term Apple uses to describe very long focal length optics and relies on different reflections to maintain the limited space inside the case. Previously, this term was only used in connection with the iPhone 15 Pro Max to denote the telephoto lens used for the 10x optical zoom. If Apple intends to use a similar lens for the iPhone 16 Pro in addition to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, this should mean that the company will offer at least a larger zoom than the iPhone 15 Pro's x5 optical zoom, probably even a x10 module.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max and its periscope telephoto lens // Source: Apple
By integrating the same x10 lens into the Pro and Pro Max models, Apple could optimize its smartphone offering. Therefore, the iPhone 15 Pro Max would be aimed exclusively at those looking for a large model with great battery life, and the iPhone 16 Pro would be aimed at users who want a smaller smartphone without sacrificing photo and video performance. However, this change in goal should be made possible primarily by increasing the size of the two models. So the iPhone 16 Pro would display a screen diagonal of 6.3 inches (compared to 6.1 inches for the iPhone 15 Pro), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max would be entitled to a 6.9-inch format (compared to 6 .7 inches on the iPhone 15 Pro Max). .
Information from MacRumors confirms that of Ming-Chi Kuo. At the end of November, the analyst, who basically knows Apple's plans very well, already indicated that Apple was working on integrating a periscopic zoom into its standard-sized iPhone 16 Pro.
Of course, you'll have to wait a while to find out more about the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. The two smartphones are scheduled to be presented in September 2024, at the same time as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.