Quick Summary
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is reported to be coming with a periscope lens this year, offering 5x optical zoom.
The report comes from DigitTimes (picked up by 91Mobiles) and talks about the main suppliers for the camera modules.
It used to be that the summer months were the quietest when it came to tech product launches, but that's no longer the case. Both Samsung and Google have confirmed events over the next couple of months, prior to consumer electronics show IFA and Apple's September event.
It means that while we await the official announcements – coming from Samsung first at Unpacked on 10 July – we are also gifted to a swell of rumours. The latest of which refers to Apple's iPhone 16 Pro, which is expected to be revealed at the end of summer, likely sometime in the beginning of September.
A report from DigiTimes (via 91Mobiles) has suggested the Apple iPhone 16 Pro will come with a periscope lens offering 5x optical zoom. You may have heard those specifications before and no, you aren't going mad. That's what the iPhone 15 Pro Max offered when it was announced in 2023.
The iPhone 15 Pro didn't offer the periscope lens of the 15 Pro Max however, with optical zoom limited to 3x rather than the 5x optical and 25x digital capabilities of the larger model. The report suggests bigger won't necessarily be better for 2024 however, with the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max offering the same camera capabilities.
iPhone 16 Pro screen size boost
In order to accommodate the larger camera module, there have also been reports to suggest the iPhone 16 Pro could see a slightly larger display at 6.3-inches compared to the iPhone 15 Pro's current 6.1-inches.
Other rumours talk about a capture button for taking pictures and videos, which if true, will be interesting to see how Apple implements. A capture button is something Sony phones have offered for years and technically the iPhone 15 Pro models already offer a capture button to some extent, if you program the Action Button for the camera, but that's not to say there isn't something else in the works.
When it comes to processor, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is said to be running on the A18 Bionic, which will of course support iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence features. Nothing is confirmed as yet of course, and with a couple of months before the iPhone 16 series is expected to be announced, all these rumours can change.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Britta is a freelance technology journalist who has been writing about tech for over a decade. She's covered all consumer tech from phones, tablets and wearables to smart home and beauty tech, with everything in between. She has a fashion journalism degree from London College of Fashion and previously did a long stint as deputy editor of Pocket-lint, but you’ll now find her byline on several titles including GQ, the Express, the Mirror, TechRadar, Stuff and iMore. You'll never find her without her Apple Watch on, aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate and she loves a good iPhone trick.
-
This Zenith x Porter PILOT chronograph watch is a triumph in khaki
Zenith partners with PORTER on two limited edition khaki PILOT watches
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
PS Plus getting one of 2025's most exciting upcoming PS5 games for free
PS Plus Extra and Premium members getting Remedy's weird new shooter on day one
By Rik Henderson Published
-
These dummies allegedly show the iPhone 4 SE – and there's a big surprise
Could Apple be working on two different versions of the iPhone SE 4?
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
I tried the iPhone 16 Pro on safari – now I want one for the huge camera upgrade
The iPhone 16 Pro's zoom boost is a game-changer
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple’s now delivering big discounts on its best iPads
The fastest M1 iPad Pro and Air models are now appearing in the Apple refurb store
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
iPhone 17 Pro and entire iPhone 18 series tipped for a very important upgrade
The next iPhone Pro / Pro Max is expected to boost speeds through extra RAM
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
All-new Apple iPad mini 7 gets a surprise announcement – pre-orders now open
Apple isn't waiting for its next event to give us the news we've been waiting for
By Rik Henderson Published
-
This iPhone SE 4 feature may be missing in action
The iPhone SE 4 may resemble the most recent iPhones, but it looks like it'll be lacking one key feature
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Your iPhone could soon be the perfect partner for sports events, gigs and shows
Digital concert tickets could soon include everything from playlists to the location of your pals
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Apple’s slowing down its schedule for everything other than iPhones, says insider
The iPhone will remain an annual upgrade, but a new report says Apple plans to slow down its release schedule from 2025
By Carrie Marshall Published