It's been relatively quiet in terms of iPhone 16 leaks recently, but a new rumor from Apple's supply chain backs up something we've been hearing for a while: that the iPhone 16 Pro will match the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a 5x optical zoom camera.
This comes from DigitTimes in Asia (via 9to5Mac), which reports that some key suppliers have received more orders for Apple's tetraprismatic periscope lenses for iPhones. Those are the lenses that can offer more depth while still fitting into a super-slim smartphone.
Last year, as you'll see in our iPhone 15 Pro Max review, this particular lens was exclusive to the more expensive model, and the iPhone 15 Pro didn't have it. The smaller phone is equipped with a camera sensor with 3x optical zoom.
It would make sense for both Pro-level iPhones to have the same camera setup, giving buyers a choice between the two sizes (and the two prices). It seems increasingly likely that this will be the case in 2024, but nothing is certain yet.
More updates yet?
According to this report, it appears that these new camera lenses are the same ones we saw on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, rather than new and improved ones with the same zoom capabilities, so the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera setup could be the same as its predecessor.
However, there has also been talk that the iPhone 16 Pro Max's main camera and ultra-wide camera are getting an upgrade. There are three rear cameras on the back of the Pro and Pro Max models in Apple's iPhone lineup.
Last year, it was rumored that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could bump up the bar to 10x optical zoom, but that now seems less likely to happen. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, by comparison, also offers 5x optical zoom.
There will no doubt be more rumors and leaks between now and September, when the 2024 iPhones are expected to debut. In the meantime, we look forward to Samsung's new foldables and Google's new Pixels.
