Apple will announce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models next year in September with some significant upgrades in the camera department. The iPhone 15 Pro Max exclusively features a tetraprism lens with a glass and plastic hybrid lens for enhanced zoom capabilities. It is now being reported that the iPhone 15 Pro Max's unique selling feature will also be coming to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.

The tetraprism lens on the iPhone 16 Pro will allow the device to feature 5x optical zoom capabilities

According to a new report from The Elec, Apple is preparing to offer the same camera technology on the iPhone 16 Pro as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Over the past few years, Apple has segregated the 'Pro' models with high-end features oriented toward the bigger 'Pro Max' version. The smaller 'Pro' iPhone revolves around last year's features from its bigger sibling. For instance, the iPhone 15 Pro now features 3x optical zoom, which was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Apple wants to bring another supplier into the mix to supply folded glass modules used in the tetraprism camera technology. Adding LG Innotek as a supplier would also mean that Apple will tackle the supply constraints associated with the module, thereby securing production yields for the future. The iPhone 15 Pro Max currently features a tetraprism camera, while the iPhone 15 Pro houses a 3x telephoto lens.

The tetraprism lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max allows for 5x optical zoom in contrast to 3x optical zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro. The tetraprism technology houses a folded glass structure within the module that reflects light four times for a longer focal length of 120mm. The four-element lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is hybrid in nature, which means that one element is glass, and the rest are plastic.

It was recently reported that Apple's hybrid lens approach will spark a trend in the smartphone photography market as competitors will be keen to adopt the technology. Note that this is not the first time we have heard details on the tetraprism lens for the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. Prominent analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has repeatedly highlighted that Apple will streamline the 'Pro' models of the iPhone 16 with a 5x optical zoom lens.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are reported to feature a slightly bigger display and form factor, which will allow the company to create internal space to fit the new camera module. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to feature a 6.3-inch display, up from 6.1 inches on the iPhone 15 Pro.