As the anticipated release of Apple’s iPhone 16 series approaches this autumn, it comes as no shock that experts and insiders worldwide are discussing the potential features and attributes of these devices with a sense of certainty.
Ming-Chi Kuo stands out as a rare individual who captivates us with his accurate forecasts about potential camera enhancements across four undisclosed iPhone lineups. While we acknowledge that not all of Kuo’s recent predictions may materialize exactly as predicted, it would be unwise to underestimate someone with a proven track record of accuracy over the past decade.
The camera capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro will be pushed to the limit, while the upcoming 17 Pro Max is expected to elevate them even more
If you appreciate top-tier camera features but prefer smaller phone sizes, the upcoming compact iPhone 16 Pro is likely to be perfect for you. Apple is rumored to equip both the larger sequel and its smaller counterpart with the advanced tetraprism lens from the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The tetraprism technology, similar to a periscope camera found in many high-end Android devices for years, was belatedly introduced to the iPhone family, rebranded with a more appealing name by Apple. Despite the delayed adoption, this innovation has yielded impressive real-world results, as highlighted in our detailed review of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The tri-camera setup on the rear of the 15 Pro Max includes the tetraprism, which is one of three remarkable cameras. According to Apple’s official website, this innovative design features a folded glass structure beneath the lens that reflects light rays four times, enabling light to travel further within a confined space. This results in an extended focal length that enhances the camera’s capabilities significantly.
Looking past the jargon, the iPhone 15 Pro Max excels in capturing incredibly clear and sharp images at a remarkable 5x optical zoom thanks to its innovative technology. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro without this feature only offers support for 3x optical zoom. However, it is anticipated that the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro will also have a 5x optical zoom capability and share a high-quality 12MP periscope telephoto sensor with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
In the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max, there is a possibility of a significant upgrade to a 48-megapixel secondary camera, promising improved photo quality and enhanced zoom capabilities. Specific details about this advanced imaging feature remain undisclosed, as with the potential upgrade of the telephoto sensor in the non-Max version of the iPhone 17 Pro.
Regrettably, Kuo’s most recent forecasts do not touch upon the tertiary rear camera of Apple’s upcoming iPhones. However, past speculations have suggested that the 17 Pro Max could potentially feature three distinct 48MP sensors, making it a highly plausible scenario.
The iPhone 19 series is expected to receive even more significant enhancements
Should the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max indeed come equipped with 48MP tetraprism cameras, there is speculation that the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will maintain these enhanced sensors without significant alterations when they are released in the autumn of 2026.
The prospect of the iPhone 19 family making its debut a year later with significant enhancements in the camera features is more intriguing than the incremental upgrades seen in some new iPhone models. This next generation could bring about a noteworthy advancement, surpassing even the anticipated improvement of the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s telephoto sensor from 12 to 48MP.
It is still too soon to determine the exact camera capabilities of four upcoming smartphones set to be released in the fall of 2027. However, it is anticipated that all models, including the standard iPhone 19 and the successor to the less popular iPhone 15 Plus, will feature enhanced optical zoom. Given this significant advancement in one crucial aspect, it may be wise to begin saving for your future iPhone upgrade in 2027.
