iPhone 15 Pro Max's 5x Optical Zoom Lens Rumored to Expand to Both iPhone 16 Pro Models

[MacRumors]

While a tetraprism lens with up to 5x optical zoom is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the feature will expand to both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max next year, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo briefly revealed this information in a Medium post today focused on iPhone 15 Pro Max production challenges related to the camera.

In the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the tetraprism lens system has a "folded" design that allows it to fit inside the smartphone, enabling up to 5x optical zoom and up to 25x digital zoom. By comparison, the smaller iPhone 15 Pro remains limited to up to 3x optical zoom, in line with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

It has been rumored that the iPhone 16 Pro will feature a larger 6.3-inch display, compared to the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro. This change would increase the overall size of the device, which would provide additional internal space for a tetraprism lens.

This is not the first time that Kuo has said the lens would expand to both iPhone 16 Pro models, but it reveals that the change is still planned following the introduction of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which launches this Friday.

Article Link: iPhone 15 Pro Max's 5x Optical Zoom Lens Rumored to Expand to Both iPhone 16 Pro Models

 

[Chiromac81]

Duh. That's kinda been apples move for the last 10 years...

 

[Nautilus007]

Just waiting for the iPhone 16 frame to leak...any day now.
Take everything that didn't materialize with the iPhone 15 and just throw the rumors into the 16..

 

[KPOM]

Not surprising. Apple has done this before.

 

[verniesgarden]

mildly irked that they didn't do 5x on both models.. but at the end of the day I really don't use the iPhone camera for any memorable photography.

 

[Bigkool2inSC]

of course it is..

but you know that saying, "once you go Max, you never go 'backs' "

 

[spaxxedout]

It’s too early for iPhone 16 rumors.

 

[waquzy]

“iPhone 16 Pro will feature a larger 6.3” display….”

Shame ☹️

 

[FasterQuieter]

I wouldn't want it. Not if it means sacrificing the 77MM, which is a much more useful focal length for me. What they have done with the 15 Pro Max camera is completely bizarre to me. Also the main reason I am not upgrading.

 

[sunny5]

It's not an optical zoom, it's adigital zoom. Whoever disagrees means you know nothing about photography. Clearly, you are being fooled by Apple that using prime lenses with digital zoom is an optical zoom which is not.

 

[now i see it]

and the 16PM will get a 10X tetraprism lens. Ha!

 

[contacos]

Still 5x next year?! Make it 10x while you at it!

 

[NARadyk]

Of course.

The fact they tried to pull the “extra size/room in the Max allows this“ BS.

 

[AndiG]

It’s too early for iPhone 16 rumors.

You‘re kidding. iPhone 17 rumors are around the corner.

I wouldn't want it. Not if it means sacrificing the 77MM, which is a much more useful focal length for me. What they have done with the 15 Pro Max camera is completely bizarre to me. Also the main reason I am not upgrading.

I‘m happy with the 3x zoom of the 15 pro.

 

[MayaUser]

So that price hike too by $100 for the 16 pro as well

Remember Apple not always raised the price by 100 when they doubled the ssd

 

[Nautilus007]

Still 5x next year?! Make it 10x while you at it!

Im waiting for the 100x...

 

[spartan1967]

Looking forward to the iPhone 15 Pro tear downs to see if lack of space is really the issue for not providing 5x optical zoom for both sizes.

 

[lazyrighteye]

of course it is..

but you know that saying, "once you go Max, you never go 'backs' "

I have been so tempted to go Pro Max since it debuted. That is my biggest back and forth every cycle. I've not yet been able to shake the idea that Pro Max will present more usability issues than solutions. And I've not yet been willing to commit to one, for a full 12 months, to find out how warranted this concerns may prove (or not). I may freaking love it. But just haven't been able to fully commit to find out. Yet.

 

[2540497]

Downgrading sizes from 14 Pro Max to 15 Pro. Kept dropping it - too big for my hands. It’s too uncomfortable to use every day.

I weighed up the better camera aka 5x zoom and noted that I rarely if ever even used the 3x zoom so happy with my choice.

 

[hobocamp456]

So the excuse that there wasn’t room for it in the smaller one was BS I guess

 

[MayaUser]

It's not optical zoom, it's digital zoom.

when you have tetraprism design its clear not digital

 

[omihek]

17 Pro is gonna have whatever 16 Pro has, only better, so I'll wait for the 18 Pro, but then again that 19 Pro is right around the corner...

 

[MayaUser]

So the excuse that there wasn’t room for it in the smaller one was BS I guess

when did they said that? remember they done this also with the 7 plus and other devices
Remember both 15 pro models are 8.3mm thick

 

[McKodiak]

This is a large reason I am waiting.

 

[LiE_]

I kinda like the 3x, especially for portraits.