Recent Industry Report Suggests High Probability of Major iPhone 16 Pro Upgrade

Next year’s iPhone 16 Pro is expected to receive a significant upgrade, bringing it in line with the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max variant. According to TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, both iPhone 16 Pro models are likely to have a 5x telephoto lens, which is currently exclusive to the larger variant. This upgrade is expected to result in a 160% year-on-year growth in iPhones with this camera in 2024.

Kuo had previously predicted that the smaller iPhone 15 Pro would not have the flagship camera due to supply chain issues. However, Largan Precision, the manufacturer of the tetraprism lens, has made significant improvements in its production, leading to increased demand from Apple and Huawei. The production yield of the lens assembly has increased to over 70%, up from around 40% in the third quarter of 2023. As a result, there has been a 130% increase in total orders for 2024.

While the increased availability of tetraprism lenses is promising, it does not guarantee that Apple will bring the 5x telephoto lens to the standard iPhone 16 Pro. Factors such as physical constraints and product differentiation between the two iPhone Pro models will also play a role in this decision. However, this potential upgrade would be welcomed by fans of smaller phones, as they would no longer have to buy the larger and more expensive Pro Max model to obtain Apple’s best camera.