Apple Likely to Add Second Periscope Lens Supplier for iPhone 15 Pro Max

[MacRumors]

Apple is likely to bring on board another supply partner for the iPhone 15 Pro Max as it seeks to recruit an additional lens module specialist for the device's new periscope camera.

This year's iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to include a periscope camera system, in which light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera's image sensor.

The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer "folded" telephoto setup inside phones, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness or other reduction in quality. The system is expected to add a 5-6x optical zoom to Apple's next premium iPhone model (the current iPhone 14 Pro supports up to 3x optical zoom).

Previous reports suggested Largan Precision would be the sole supplier of the periscope system. Largan's periscope lenses were first to launch in 2019, when they debuted in the Huawei P30 Pro smartphone.

However, industry sources cited by DigiTimes now claim that Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) has been identified as an additional supplier of the module. GSEO shipped periscope lenses to a Japanese handset vendor in 2021, the outlet's sources said.

Apple industry analyst Kuo believes both iPhone 16 Pro models in 2024 will use the same or similar periscope lens as the one used exclusively in the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max, with Apple continuing its trend of setting apart standard and Pro models by reserving certain higher-end hardware features for the latter.

Article Link: Apple Likely to Add Second Periscope Lens Supplier for iPhone 15 Pro Max

 

[DarthDon]

Zeiss...

 

[AndiG]

I hope that Apple fails grandly with its model policy. Periscope lens would be interesting inside a standard 15 Pro model and I have considered switching to the iPhone 15 Pro as soon as it became available for a price of around 1000€ (like the iPhone 14 Pro currently is). But if there is a subdivision within the Pro range again, I'm out.

 

[wesley96]

I shoot tons of photos with my iPhone, so it would be quite disappointing to see Apple segmenting the camera feature between the largest and the second largest models again. I hated it when this happened back in the iPhone 6s days when the OIS was included only in the Plus version and again when iPhone 12 Pro Max was given a 2.5x optical zoom while Pro stayed at 2x. I bought the 6s Plus but hated the size. When the 12 series came out I just skipped altogether. That periscope camera better be extremely good…

 

[DocMultimedia]

Upgrade for me isn't looking likely without the periscope in the Pro. If Apple is going to have different features in the two Pro models they need to change the name. iPhone, iPhone Pro, iPhone Ultra. First two available in two sizes, latter just one.

 

[DarthDon]

I shoot tons of photos with my iPhone, so it would be quite disappointing to see Apple segmenting the camera feature between the largest and the second largest models again. I hated it when this happened back in the iPhone 6s days when the OIS was included only in the Plus version and again when iPhone 12 Pro Max was given a 2.5x optical zoom while Pro stayed at 2x. I bought the 6s Plus but hated the size. When the 12 series came out I just skipped altogether. That periscope camera better be extremely good…

Some tec needs space.

 

[Dater]

What I really don't like is that Largan Precision already can produce 10x zoom periscope lenses for other phone companies with ease, but Apple forces them to build 6x lenses in 2023 so they have still enough head room for "improvements" for the next iPhone iterations. 7x in 2024, 8x for 2025 and so on... To use an old German proverb: "They are milking their cows until only blood comes out of the udder!"

 

[cyanite]

I hope that Apple fails grandly with its model policy. Periscope lens would be interesting inside a standard 15 Pro model and I have considered switching to the iPhone 15 Pro as soon as it became available for a price of around 1000€ (like the iPhone 14 Pro currently is). But if there is a subdivision within the Pro range again, I'm out.

However, such a lens design does take up a fair amount of space inside the device, since the light path is on its side.

 

[MayaUser]

I hope that Apple fails grandly with its model policy. Periscope lens would be interesting inside a standard 15 Pro model and I have considered switching to the iPhone 15 Pro as soon as it became available for a price of around 1000€ (like the iPhone 14 Pro currently is). But if there is a subdivision within the Pro range again, I'm out.

i said this when Apple ditch its formula with their SoC regarding for the new line-up...Apple still standing so, its not like they didnt do this before...

 

[ralpa]

iPhone 15 Pro Max Pro Pro

 

[redbeard331]

5-6x in late 2023 is a fail, should be pushing 12-15x by now.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Just like with solid-state buttons, Apple could delay the periscope zoom lens because of technical issues.

 

[cdsapplefan]

I hope that Apple fails grandly with its model policy. Periscope lens would be interesting inside a standard 15 Pro model and I have considered switching to the iPhone 15 Pro as soon as it became available for a price of around 1000€ (like the iPhone 14 Pro currently is). But if there is a subdivision within the Pro range again, I'm out.

Yeah the rumor is that the iPhone 16 Pro smaller model will have the upgraded zoom lens.

 

[cdsapplefan]

5-6x in late 2023 is a fail, should be pushing 12-15x by now.

Yeah the Samsung S23 Ultra has 10x zoom and non-phone digital cameras 📷 like nikon and canon have minimum 20x zoom although those cameras are aren’t small like cell phones 📱 there not that much bigger than a iPhone Pro Max size. The technology is already there for years for way higher zoom than what Apple is dishing out.

 

[cdsapplefan]

What I really don't like is that Largan Precision already can produce 10x zoom periscope lenses for other phone companies with ease, but Apple forces them to build 6x lenses in 2023 so they have still enough head room for "improvements" for the next iPhone iterations. 7x in 2024, 8x for 2025 and so on... To use an old German proverb: "They are milking their cows until only blood comes out of the udder!"

Apple usually doesn’t upgrade the zoom function every year. Just every 3 years when they do a whole phone redesign like is the case with the new upcoming iPhone 15 series

 

[cdsapplefan]

I shoot tons of photos with my iPhone, so it would be quite disappointing to see Apple segmenting the camera feature between the largest and the second largest models again. I hated it when this happened back in the iPhone 6s days when the OIS was included only in the Plus version and again when iPhone 12 Pro Max was given a 2.5x optical zoom while Pro stayed at 2x. I bought the 6s Plus but hated the size. When the 12 series came out I just skipped altogether. That periscope camera better be extremely good…

Rumor is next year’s iPhone 16 pro will have the upgraded periscope zoom lens on the smaller pro’s as well

 

[dalestrauss]

What I really don't like is that Largan Precision already can produce 10x zoom periscope lenses for other phone companies with ease, but Apple forces them to build 6x lenses in 2023 so they have still enough head room for "improvements" for the next iPhone iterations. 7x in 2024, 8x for 2025 and so on... To use an old German proverb: "They are milking their cows until only blood comes out of the udder!"

There is NO REASON not to go with the 10x telephoto in 2023 - Samsung has had it for four model years already. Dater is absolutely right. This is nothing more than an annual/biannual money grab for upgrades, and like the sucker I am [family (especially grandkids) would shun me for leaving the walled garden] I'll end up feeding Apple's cash cow and becoming more fodder...

 

[Born Again]

I shoot tons of photos with my iPhone, so it would be quite disappointing to see Apple segmenting the camera feature between the largest and the second largest models again. I hated it when this happened back in the iPhone 6s days when the OIS was included only in the Plus version and again when iPhone 12 Pro Max was given a 2.5x optical zoom while Pro stayed at 2x. I bought the 6s Plus but hated the size. When the 12 series came out I just skipped altogether. That periscope camera better be extremely good…

I’m surprised that the marketing team didn’t come up with a catchy name.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

So sad that it might not come to the regular pro. The pro max is too big for my hands to hold!!

 

[dampfnudel]

I hope that Apple fails grandly with its model policy. Periscope lens would be interesting inside a standard 15 Pro model and I have considered switching to the iPhone 15 Pro as soon as it became available for a price of around 1000€ (like the iPhone 14 Pro currently is). But if there is a subdivision within the Pro range again, I'm out.

I guess you’re out.

 

[Jack Burton]

Pro max is too big for my pockets. But I suspect my eyes will eventually make the decision for me.

 

[dampfnudel]

So sad that it might not come to the regular pro. The pro max is too big for my hands to hold!!

Wait for the iPhone 16 Pro if your current iPhone is good for another year. Apple does this every few generations with the camera, I have the smaller 12 Pro so I know (no sensor-shift optical image stabilization like the 12 Pro Max). It sucks, but that Tim’s decision so what can you do?

 

[svish]

Good to hear more about this. Happy that periscope zoom is finally coming!

 

[ThomasJL]

[sarcasm]
Hey, Tim Cook, since every computer in the MacBook line now has a notch despite not having Face ID, if the iPhone 15 Pro Max has no rear cameras, could you please still give it a rear bump?
[/sarcasm]

 

[AndiG]

Yeah the rumor is that the iPhone 16 Pro smaller model will have the upgraded zoom lens.

Yes that‘s the way Tim tries to create money. normal. normal max, pro, pro max and eventually pro max ultra …

But for me, as a customer on the other end, there is no hurry to upgrade.