Apple has announced a new iPhone lineup that includes some quality of life improvements. It is noteworthy that the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out as the only device equipped with the new periscopic camera with 5x optical zoom.

It is natural to expect this lens to be on the iPhone 16 Pro Max next year. However, according to a new report from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have the same tetraprism telephoto lens that connects the two models.

The tetraprism lens, introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, allows you to increase the focal length without thickening the phone. It works by reflecting light around the lens, effectively increasing the distance between the lens and the sensor.

The iPhone 15 Pro currently has a 3x optical zoom lens, so adding a tetraprism lens to the iPhone 16 Pro puts it on par with the Pro Max. This means both Pro models will have the same level of optical zoom.

Kuo’s report also sheds light on why the tetraprism lens is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year. The lens is difficult to manufacture and is only produced by Largan, causing supply issues.

But Kuo predicts that next year Apple may allow another supplier, Genius, to produce the lenses. This could help ease manufacturing challenges and allow Apple to add tetraprism to more iPhone models, including the iPhone 16 Pro.