Source to Tai Sounds, in what is considered a major camera upgrade highlight for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the “periscope lens,” Apple made no mention of it during its product announcement. Industry insiders suggest that the 5x optical zoom is achieved using a periscope lens, and Apple may have chosen not to disclose this technology, possibly due to competition within the industry. Renowned analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for his deep understanding of Apple, stated that Largan Precision has expanded its production capacity to meet this order.

Kuo explained that Apple’s long-range camera for the iPhone will adopt a periscope design starting this year. This design will be used in the iPhone 15 Pro Max released this year and the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro scheduled for next year. Largan Precision, a Taiwanese manufacturer, has expanded its production facilities in both Taichung and Xiamen to accommodate this order.

During the Apple product presentation, they emphasized the 5x optical zoom capability of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, claiming it’s equivalent to having seven individual camera lenses. However, there was no mention of the key technology, the “periscope lens,” which led some market experts to believe that the iPhone 15 Pro Max did not incorporate this technology, causing a decline in optical lens-related stocks.

According to the analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo’s,  from Tianfeng Securities’ latest research on September 13th, Apple’s long-range camera for the iPhone will indeed adopt a periscope design starting this year, covering the iPhone 15 Pro Max, next year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 Pro.

In terms of technical specifications, Kuo’s analysis indicates that the periscope lenses on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 will share similar specifications, including a 1/3″ 12MP sensor, f/2.8 aperture, Sensor shift support, and 5-6x optical zoom.

Kuo also pointed out that the cost of components depends on yield rates in mass production. Based on estimates using the cost of existing periscope lenses as a reference, the total production value of various components for the rear cameras of the iPhone 15 series in the second half of this year, including CIS, VCM, lenses, and CCM, is expected to grow by 5-10%, 20-25%, 65-70%, and 20-25%, respectively.

Benefiting from more iPhone 16 Pro models adopting periscope lenses and other rear camera upgrades, the total production value of various components for the rear cameras of the new iPhone 16 series next year, including CIS, VCM, lenses, and CCM, is expected to grow by 15-20%, 15-20%, 40-45%, and 15-20%, respectively.

Kuo also explained that among all the components, the lens specifications and business models are changing the most, and the growth in production value is most significant. A complete periscope lens module includes high-priced 1G2P lenses, two high-priced prisms, and lens barrels. High-priced materials are the key drivers of production value. Apple’s lens suppliers will provide more complex assembly services for the first time, as Largan Precision and Yujingguang have expanded their production capacities in Taichung and Xiamen, respectively, to meet this order. (Image credit: Apple.com)

(Source: https://www.taisounds.com/news/content/76/80703)