February 27, 2024 – According to the latest report from TrendForce, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will be equipped with a quadruple reflective prism, enabling 5x optical zoom. This marks a significant upgrade from the current iPhone 15 Pro series, where only the larger Pro Max model offers this feature. Many consumers who prefer smaller screens but also enjoy photography have been facing a dilemma when choosing between the two, but this year’s models will eliminate that concern.
It’s worth noting that Apple’s approach to the quadruple reflective prism periscope structure differs significantly from that of Android devices. After four reflections, the CMOS sensor remains flat on the motherboard, greatly reducing the thickness of the camera module. This means that iPhones won’t have the bulky protrusions often seen on Android flagships.
However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to this design. Standard Android periscopes require only one reflection, resulting in less light loss. In contrast, Apple’s solution involves four reflections, even with the best materials, some light is inevitably lost in the process. This leads to a reduction in the amount of light reaching the CMOS sensor, compounding the issue of a relatively small sensor size.
Consequently, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s low-light zoom performance has been less than impressive, lagging behind its Android competitors. It remains to be seen how Apple will address this challenge in the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro series.
