iPhone 16 Pro Set for Major Camera Upgrades: 48MP Ultra-Wide and Tetraprism Zoom

Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple insider who nearly always gets it right on unannounced Apple goods, is back with a fresh forecast about the iPhone's future. This time, he's looking at Genius, a camera provider for several Apple devices, and its earnings predictions for the year.

Ming-Chi Kuo Predicts iPhone 16 Pro Will Have 2 Significant Camera Enhancements

Kuo, as per BGR, claims that Genius will supply essential components for two iPhone 16 Pro cameras, outlining the significant changes. One is the telephoto camera, which will have a tetraprism like the zoom camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The other is an ultra-wide lens with a 48-megapixel sensor.

According to many sources, Apple intends to use tetrazoom lenses in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max this year. To do this, Apple must raise the size of the smaller Pro. When building a smaller iPhone Pro with a periscope lens, Apple must account for the battery because the tetraprism lens takes up more space.

As a result, the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.3-inch display rather than the standard 6.1-inch dimension for this model. That is, the phone will be taller and broader than it was previously.

The modification also has an effect on the iPhone 16 Pro Max size, which will expand appropriately. We're looking at a 6.9-inch screen instead of the current Pro Max versions' 6.7-inch panel.

Kuo's most recent report focuses mostly on the cameras of the iPhone 16 Pro. He does, however, hint that the periscope lens camera is on track. The tetraprism cameras for the iPhone 16 Pro will be available from Genius at the end of the second quarter of 2024 or early in the third quarter:

“Replacement demand for the two iPhone 16 Pro models will benefit from the larger screen, increasing shipments by 5–10% compared to the iPhone 15 Pro series. Therefore, even considering the 10–15% price reduction of the periscope lens and Largan remaining the main supplier, the high unit price of the iPhone 16 Pro periscope lens can still contribute significantly to Genius’ revenue and profit in 2H24.”

iPhone 16 Pro Series to Feature 48MP Ultra-Wide Cameras, Maintaining 48MP Wide Len

Genius will also provide ultra-wide lenses for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro versions. The business would be the primary provider of 48-megapixel lenses for the Pro devices, according to Kuo (via MacRumors). Going from 12-megapixel to 48-megapixel lenses will be a significant boost for the iPhone 16 Pro models. However, the camera can still take 12-megapixel photos:

“The ultra-wide camera of the iPhone 16 Pro series will be upgraded to 48MP/0.7um/(1/2.6″) (vs. iPhone 15 Pro’s 12MP/1.0um/(1/3.6″)). The expected output specification is 12MP, which will significantly improve image quality. The iPhone 16 Pro ultra-wide camera remains the 6P lens design, so the lens unit price increase is limited.”

Kuo makes no mention of the primary camera on the iPhone 16 Pro. However, I believe Apple will retain the 48-megapixel wide camera in situ for another year. That isn't to imply that other improvements aren't taking place. Camera upgrades will almost definitely come from the software side. Just that the hardware may not see any significant changes next year.

Photo: Yuheng Ouyang/Unsplash