Photograph: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
The upcoming iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max will seemingly use the identical 5x tetraprism digicam because the iPhone 15 Professional Max. This transfer will profit the corporate’s present prisms provider, Crystal-Optech.
Apple plans to make use of a bigger tetraprism sensor with 48MP decision on the iPhone 17 Professional lineup in 2025.
iPhone 16 Professional might ditch the 3x telephoto digicam
Apple switched to a 5x telephoto sensor on the iPhone 15 Professional Max final yr. In contrast to the first 48MP shooter, the 5x digicam makes use of a 12MP Sony sensor measuring 1/3.1″. The smaller iPhone 15 Professional caught to a 3x telephoto digicam.
Rumors counsel that Apple will improve the iPhone 16 Professional to a 5x telephoto sensor this yr. Nonetheless, TF Worldwide Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims the tetra prism digicam itself might not obtain any notable {hardware} upgrades. Picture high quality enhancements, if any, ought to come from higher processing and a sooner ISP.
In contrast to the Professional Max, the smaller Professional mannequin has restricted inside house, which might be creating an issue for Apple.
iPhone 17 Professional Max would possibly pack an even bigger 48MP 5x digicam
For the 2025 iPhone 17 Professional Max, although, Apple will apparently change to a bigger 1/2.6″ sensor with a better 48MP decision. This improve would require new prism designs to accommodate the larger sensor with out considerably rising the iPhone’s digicam bump z-height.
However it’s unclear if Apple will use the 48MP tetraprism solely on the iPhone 17 Professional Max or additionally on the smaller Professional mannequin.
A bigger sensor will enable for extra gentle consumption and better gentle sensitivity, enabling higher optical zoom efficiency and extra detailed photos. If not subsequent yr, the 2026 iPhone 18 Professional ought to change to the upgraded 5x telephoto digicam.
Wanting even additional ahead, the analyst says Apple will once more give the tetraprism sensor an enormous improve with the 2027 iPhones. This might embody rising its optical zoom vary for higher efficiency.