iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max To Get Upgraded Tetraprism Telephoto Camera, Improved Lens Specifications May Raise Costs By 30 Percent

The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s tetraprism telephoto camera is reportedly arriving to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max next year, with a few changes. Unfortunately, with demand picking up and Apple apparently wanting to raise the lens specifications, it may increase production cost by 30 percent. At present, it is unclear if Apple will pass these increases on to customers in 2024, but let us discuss what we know at this stage.

Apple is reportedly looking for a more precise lens assembly, which will improve yields but increase the tetraprism telephoto camera price for the iPhone 16 Pro Max

As iPhone 15 Pro Max demand grows, anticipation for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max launching next year with the tetraprism telephoto camera upgrade continues to grow. To keep up with demand in 2024, Apple’s hand is forced to make improvements to the camera module. In his Medium blog post, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the technology giant has asked its supplier to raise lens specifications in an attempt to boost yields. This process should produce a more precise lens assembly and compensate for module assembly tolerances.

Unfortunately, this decision will have a major drawback. Kuo states that raising the lens specifications and expanding production will mean that the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s telephoto lens price will be increased by around 30 percent to $6-6.5. However, bringing the upgrade to both Pro models next year should grow iPhone shipments with this specific telephoto camera by approximately 110 percent year-over-year in 2024.

“iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro will be equipped with a tetraprism telephoto camera, likely maintaining the current high specifications to ensure camera performance and production yields. I predict the shipment of iPhones equipped with a tetraprism telephoto camera will grow by about 110% YoY in 2024, reaching 70–80 million units.”

Though the 30 percent increase in telephoto camera cost will be difficult for any company to adsorb, Kuo reports that because the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the primary driver for Apple’s Q4 revenue and profit figures, the firm has agreed to pay the premium as long as it receives full support from its supplier Largan.

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have been reported to receive a telephoto camera next year, but it is possible that the largest model gets an exclusive ‘super telephoto’ unit to help propel sales along with the possibility of having three new cameras to wirelessly interact with the Apple Vision Pro.

Written by Omar Sohail