According to Ming-Chi-Kuo, a reliable analyst at TF International, the periscope lens is expected to be the key feature of the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max. This innovative lens, located inside the phone’s body, uses prisms to direct light to the image sensor. It allows for an extension in focal length, resulting in enhanced optical zoom capabilities despite the constraints of a compact smartphone design.
It is rumored that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will offer a significant upgrade in optical zoom, increasing it from the current 3x to 6x compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This year, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the only model featuring the periscope lens, while the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max might incorporate it in 2024. Kuo predicts a 70% growth in iPhone periscope lens shipments during the second half of 2024 compared to the previous year, driven by the introduction of the Pro model.
The periscope lens for the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be supplied by Largan, a renowned camera parts supplier. Kuo mentions that Largan is the sole supplier for this lens and also fulfills 60% of the demand for Huawei. Each periscope lens carries a higher price tag, estimated to be three to four times the cost of a typical high-end 7P lens. It is worth noting that Kuo’s comments can indirectly be interpreted as a recommendation to invest in Largan’s shares, which are traded in Taiwan at a current value of $63.57 each, experiencing a 2.8% increase after Kuo’s remarks.
Kuo highlights Huawei as the fastest-growing and most active adopter of periscope lens technology among Chinese smartphone brands. Shipments of Huawei phones equipped with a periscope lens are expected to reach 15-20 million units this year and are predicted to increase to approximately 30 million units in 2024, showcasing an annual growth rate of 70% to 80%.
Overall, the introduction of the periscope lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to be a significant selling point, offering enhanced optical zoom capabilities and positioning it as a popular choice among consumers.
