iPhone 15 Pro Expected to Feature Periscope Lens With Up to 10x Optical Zoom

At least one iPhone 15 model launched in 2023 will feature a periscope camera system, allowing for increased optical zoom, according to analyst Jeff Pu.

iPhone 13 Pro Light Blue Side Feature
With a periscope system, light entering the telephoto lens on the back of the iPhone would be reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera's image sensor. The change in direction in which the light travels would allow for Apple to fit a longer telephoto setup inside the iPhone, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness.

Rumors about the iPhone getting a periscope lens have been circulating since early 2020, with reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo the first to mention the possibility. Kuo initially said that a periscope lens would be an iPhone 14 Pro feature, but it is now looking like we'll have to wait until the iPhone 15 Pro next year.

samsung periscope lens
There are already some Android smartphones with periscope lenses, including Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra and Huawei's P40 Pro+. Both of those devices feature up to 10x optical zoom, and with the addition of a periscope lens, the iPhone 15 Pro could follow suit. In the meantime, iPhone 13 Pro models are limited to 3x optical zoom.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...

Top Rated Comments

contacos Avatar
46 months ago
I understand Apple for upgrading their camera systems at a lower pace since this is their main selling point to upgrade nowadays but this is just annoying, especially with competitors already using it a year ago and don’t give me the „apple always waits til something majored*“ BS

*is cheaper to make in high quantities
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Think|Different Avatar
46 months ago
Gonna be a long year…
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
creediddy Avatar
46 months ago
Hole punch screen this year for 2022 with a 10% faster A-series processor. Slightly better camera for 2022. 2023 gets a 10x optical zoom capabilities. LOL! Let alone we got 120Hz for 2021. Apple needs the Apple iFold ASAP!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
46 months ago
wow, can't wait for iPhone 16 ... yes, 16, no typo /s
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
46 months ago
Kuo has been saying this. It looks like iPhone 15 will be a major camera upgrade.

So I'm guessing people will be skipping iPhone 14? I’m not and wouldn’t recommend it. ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unregistered 4U Avatar
46 months ago

„apple always waits til something majored*
Nah, more like Apple waits until someone says, “Yes, we can have over 100 million of these produced over the year where you plan to release these.” It’s one thing to make a few ten million for Xaiomi, completely different thing to match Apple’s scale.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)