Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the 48-megapixel Tetraprism camera on the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max will have improved zoom capabilities and better picture quality.
Kuo stated that the primary specification change will be a 1/2.6″ 48MP CIS sensor, rather than the 1/3.1″ 12MP sensor anticipated to be utilized in this year’s iPhone 16 Pro models, in his most recent investor note, which was posted on Medium.
Tetraprism telephoto lenses are anticipated to be available for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2024, as opposed to the bigger Pro Max being the only device in the iPhone 15 series to have this feature. Thus, at least 5x optical zoom and at least 25x digital zoom will be available on both iPhone 16 Pro variants.
Kuo stated that he is not sure if the improved Tetraprism camera would be limited to the iPhone 17 Pro Max at this time. If it’s unique to the model, however, the two iPhone 18 Pro models will receive it in 2026. According to Kuo, the new Tetraprism camera needs specially constructed prisms with a reduced form factor in order to lower the camera’s height.
The analyst’s assessment supports a statement made by Haitong International Securities’ Jeff Pu last year. Pu stated in December that Apple Vision Pro will work best with the improved 48MP telephoto lens on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. When held in landscape configuration, the main and ultra wide lenses work together to record spatial video with enhanced depth. This feature allows current iPhone 15 Pro models to create spatial video with 3D depth for playback on the Vision Pro.
According to what Pu previously stated, the 48MP super wide lens will be included in both iPhone 16 Pro variants. This means that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the first iPhone model to include a rear camera system composed only of 48-megapixel lenses. The 48MP primary, 12MP ultra wide, and 12MP telephoto lenses on the latest iPhone 15 Pro models help to put that into perspective.
Looking further, Kuo said that the Tetraprism camera in the iPhones of 2027 will be significantly enhanced and feature a greater optical zoom. It would then no longer be referred to as a “Tetraprism” lens. This is most likely accomplished by lengthening the light path by increasing the number of prisms. The analyst stated that if the number of prisms increases, it might be necessary to reduce the prism size, which would increase the complexity of the prism design.
