Apple will release the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models in September next year, and there will be some pretty significant upgrades in the camera division. The iPhone 15 Pro Max exclusively comes with a quad prism lens and a hybrid glass and plastic lens for enhanced zoom capabilities. There are now reports that the iPhone 15 Pro Max's unique selling point features will also be available on the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.
According to a new report, The Elec, Apple is preparing to offer the same camera technology on the iPhone 16 Pro as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Over the past few years, Apple has separated the "Pro" model from the high-end features that target the larger "Pro Max" version. The smaller "Pro" iPhone revolves around the features of its larger siblings from last year. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro now has the 3x optical zoom introduced by the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Apple wants to bring in another company to offer a foldable glass module for the quadrismatic camera technology. Adding LG Innotek as a merchant also means that Apple will address the limitations associated with the module, ensuring future production. The iPhone 15 Pro Max currently comes with a quad prism camera, while the iPhone 15 Pro comes with a 3x telephoto lens.
The quadrismatic lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves a 5x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro has a 3x optical zoom. The prism technology features a folded glass structure within the module that reflects light four times with a focal length of up to 120 mm. The four-piece lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is hybrid in nature, which means that one element is glass and the rest is plastic.
Recently, it was reported that Apple's hybrid lens approach will spark a trend in the smartphone photography market, as competitors will be keen to adopt the technology. Note that this is not the first time we've heard details about the quad prism lens of the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has repeatedly stressed that Apple will simplify the "Pro" model of the iPhone 5 with a 16x optical zoom lens.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max reportedly have slightly larger displays and form factors, which will allow the company to create interior space to accommodate the new camera module. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to come with 63-inch display, higher than the iPhone 15 Pro's 61 inch.