Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that both iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will use the same four-prism lens as iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the specifications are not expected to change. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the only model in 2023 to use a four-prism lens arrangement, which can increase the telephoto optical zoom from 3x to 5x. According to TFSecurities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, both Pro models will be equipped with four-prism lenses on the iPhone 16 generation.
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In a Medium report released late Sunday, Kuo discussed supply chain issues with the iPhone 15 Pro Max camera system, including rising prices and increased demand caused by Apple's increased telephoto lens verification requirements.
For iPhone 16 Pro Max, demand "exceeded expectations" due to the lens arrangement. Under the dual effects of improved specifications and increased demand, the cost of this component will increase by approximately 30%, reaching US$6 to US$6.5 per unit.
Ming-Chi Kuo wrote: "Pro models will also get this lens and will likely maintain the current high specifications to ensure camera performance and output. The analyst predicts that iPhone shipments using quad prism cameras will grow by about 110% in 2024, equivalent to 70 million to 80 million units."
High demand means that current lens suppliers Largan Optoelectronics, Crystal Optoelectronics and Lant Optical will be the main beneficiaries of Apple's promotion of prism technology in 2024. The latter two are expected to expand prism production capacity by at least 50% in 2024. It is said that Crystal Optoelectronics will be unable to keep up due to insufficient demand in 2023, resulting in Lante grabbing some additional orders.