iPhone 16 Pro Max to have "Super Telephoto" periscope camera
The iPhone 15 family isn't even out yet, but we're already talking about its successors. Specifically, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, expected in September 2024. This device will have a rather unique feature, according to prolific (and usually reliable) leakster Digital Chat Station out of China.
According to him, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be fitted with a "Super Telephoto" periscope zoom camera. This designation apparently refers to cameras with a focal length over 300mm, which would be quite a feat of engineering, considering that the current iPhone 14 Pro Max has to make do with a measly 77mm on its, admittedly non-periscope, zoom snapper.
This September the iPhone 15 Pro Max has been rumored to mark the debut of a periscope on an iPhone, and next year the iPhone 16 Pro will also have a periscope - just not a "Super Telephoto" one. So presumably the iPhone 16 Pro will get the iPhone 15 Pro Max's periscope, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have an even more advanced system.
Super Telephoto cameras are often used in sports and wildlife photography, and they're also interesting to use for portraits, provided that the photographer can be far enough away from the subject.
Additionally, the same source claims the iPhone 16 Pro Max's main camera will have a 12% larger sensor (1/1.14" in size) compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max (1/1.28"). The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to stick with its predecessor's hardware.