Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max may feature ‘super’ telephoto lens: Report

 Anticipation for the Apple iPhone 16 series is already building, even though its release is scheduled for next year. Recent reports, such as one shared by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could be equipped with a super telephoto periscope camera. This addition is expected to significantly enhance the phone's optical zoom capabilities, enabling users to capture distant subjects with greater clarity and detail. The integration of a periscope camera could mark a notable advancement in the iPhone's photography features and further elevate its reputation as a top-tier smartphone for photography enthusiasts.

As the report suggests, camera lenses with a focal length surpassing 300mm are commonly referred to as "super" or "ultra" telephoto lenses due to their exceptional capacity for magnifying and capturing distant subjects. In the context of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro models, their telephoto cameras possess a focal length equivalent to 77mm.

If the iPhone 16 Pro Max indeed incorporates a telephoto camera with a focal length exceeding 300mm, it would signify a considerable and remarkable improvement. Such an advancement would result in a substantial increase in optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to capture distant scenes with unparalleled clarity and detail. This potential upgrade could have a profound impact on the phone's photography performance and elevate it to new heights in terms of long-range imaging capabilities.

According to a report by MacRumors, the Weibo user has reaffirmed their earlier claim that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will boast a camera sensor that is 12% larger than its predecessors, measuring 1/1.14-inches in size. For context, the current iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are equipped with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, and there are no expectations of a sensor size increase for this year's iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The larger camera sensor in the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to offer several advantages in terms of image quality and performance. With a larger sensor area, the phone will be able to capture more light, resulting in improved low-light photography and enhanced dynamic range. Additionally, the increase in sensor size can lead to more pronounced background blur effects in portrait mode and overall higher-quality images. Photography enthusiasts and users who prioritize top-notch camera capabilities may find the larger camera sensor on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to be a compelling upgrade.

A larger sensor holds the potential to elevate the dynamic range and create more pronounced background blur for the primary iPhone camera. Additionally, it has the capability to substantially enhance low-light photography performance, as the increased surface area allows for capturing more light with the same shutter speed and aperture settings.

According to a previous report from an individual with the Twitter handle @URedditor, the upcoming Apple iPhone 16 might revert to a vertical rear camera layout, reminiscent of the iPhone 12. This design change could extend to other phones within the iPhone 16 series.

It is worth noting that in recent models like the iPhone 13 and 13 mini, Apple had shifted to a diagonally-arranged rear camera setup. This design was continued with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and there are indications that it will be retained for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as well. However, the iPhone 16 is expected to embrace the vertical rear camera layout instead.