Apple’s next-generation iPhone 15 Pro Max is widely expected to feature a so-called “periscope lens” that would allow for up to 5–6x optical zoom. Periscope technology would be built into the Telephoto lens and allow for up to 6x zoom when shooting photos with the rear camera, without any blurriness or reduction in image quality. (Gizmo China, MacRumors)
Smartphone lens module specialists Largan Precision and Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) have been identified as potential suppliers for Apple’s next iPhone series that is expected to feature periscope lenses, according to Digitimes. GSEO shipped periscope lenses to a Japanese handset vendor in 2021. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to include a periscope camera system, in which light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera’s image sensor. The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer “folded” telephoto setup inside phones, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness or other reduction in quality. The system is expected to add a 5–6x optical zoom to Apple’s next premium iPhone model (the current iPhone 14 Pro supports up to 3x optical zoom). (Gizmo China, Digitimes, Patently Apple, MacRumors, Inside, ETToday)