iPhone 16 Pro upgrade seemingly confirmed as Apple orders even more periscope lenses for 5x optical zoom

An iPhone 15 Pro Max against an abstract multi-colored retro background.
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future / Apple)

A new report has all but confirmed the inclusion of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s periscope lens in both iPhone 16 models when the new iPhone lineup launches later this year. 

The new report from Digitimes states that lens manufacturers Largan and GSEO are set to receive large orders from Apple as the company looks to “expand the use of periscope lenses in its upcoming iPhone series.”

The periscope lens (dubbed tetraprism by Apple) found in last year’s best iPhone, the 15 Pro Max, enables 5x optical zoom in the smartphone’s camera. The smaller iPhone 15 Pro does not have this high-end feature but previous reports indicate that this is due to change when the iPhone 16 Pro launches in the fall. 

Digitimes claims, “This year, more models in the upcoming iPhone lineup will feature periscope lenses. GSEO is likely to join as a new supplier for this year's iPhones.” Largan supplied the periscope lenses for the 15 Pro Max last year and is hoping to secure even more orders from Apple this time round.

Currently, GSEO’s periscope lenses are going through quality testing, however, “Sources indicate that GSEO has a good chance of passing the validation and will begin small-volume production in mid-July. Their U.S. customer (presumably Apple) is expected to increase orders in August and September.”

iOS 18 too

iOS 18 is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus as well as the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. iOS 18 will bring AI to Apple devices for the first time ever when Apple Intelligence launches in beta alongside the release.

Combined with the new software and improvements to hardware like the camera in the iPhone 16 Pro, the device is set to be a powerhouse for photography and editing alike. It’s looking like a very exciting year for iPhone and with reports ramping up, we don’t have much longer to wait until the best time of the year arrives. 

Don't want to wait for the iPhone 16 Pro to use a periscope lens:

iPhone 15 Pro Max | $0.1 at via Boost Infinite at Amazon

iPhone 15 Pro Max | $0.1 at via Boost Infinite at Amazon

The best iPhone for photography you can buy right now. Get an iPhone 15 Pro Max for just one cent when you pick it up at Amazon with a Boost Infinite plan. 

Price check: $1,099 at Best Buy | $1,199 at Apple

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John-Anthony Disotto
How To Editor

John-Anthony Disotto is the How To Editor of iMore, ensuring you can get the most from your Apple products and helping fix things when your technology isn’t behaving itself. Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself in his ability to complete his Apple Watch activity rings. John-Anthony has previously worked in editorial for collectable TCG websites and graduated from The University of Strathclyde where he won the Scottish Student Journalism Award for Website of the Year as Editor-in-Chief of his university paper. He is also an avid film geek, having previously written film reviews and received the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019.  John-Anthony also loves to tinker with other non-Apple technology and enjoys playing around with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.

In his spare time, John-Anthony can be found watching any sport under the sun from football to darts, taking the term “Lego house” far too literally as he runs out of space to display any more plastic bricks, or chilling on the couch with his French Bulldog, Kermit. 

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