Apple extends Tetra Prism lenses to iPhone 16 Pro

Apple is expected to expand the use of the Tetra Prism telephoto lens from the iPhone 16 Pro Max model to the iPhone 16 Pro.

iPhone 15 Pro Max is the only model with a tetraprism lens, which increases the optical zoom range of the telephoto lens by 3x to 5x. The iPhone 15 Pro missed out, but the iPhone 16 Pro could use this component to join the Pro Max.

In a report examining the smartphone camera lens market, AppleInsiderTrendForce claims that camera specification upgrades continue to drive consumer device upgrades.

Following the positive reception of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and its tetraprism telephoto lens, industry observers expect a corresponding increase in the use of periscope lens modules.

For Apple in particular, TrendForce believes this camera technology will spread from the iPhone 16 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro and become a feature across the Pro series.

This is not the first time claims have been made about expanding the tetraprism. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has repeatedly claimed since September that both iPhone 16 Pro models will use the same tetraprism lens, and other reports have corroborated this rumor.

Apple’s use of Tetraprism may have implications for other markets, but cost considerations will likely lead Android smartphone vendors to further segment their products.

For mid-range devices, cost-effective fixed focus or single magnification periscope systems are expected to become more prevalent. A high-end clustering inner focus module or a similar complex version is expected as a high-end module.