Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 has been a topic of speculation and anticipation among tech enthusiasts. While the locked-down implementation of USB-C has been a point of contention, the latest leak suggests that the most significant surprise in the iPhone 15 release will be the camera setup.
A reliable leaker knew as Unknownz21 claims to have received independent confirmation that the periscope lens will be exclusively available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This rumor has been circulating for some time, but it was met with skepticism due to the potential division of features between the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. Historically, aside from battery life, the Pro and Pro Max variants have offered similar capabilities, with the choice primarily based on size preference.
However, it now appears that the upcoming iPhone 15 lineup will break this tradition, leaving fans of smaller phones with a difficult decision to make. They will either have to forgo the best camera features or opt for a significantly larger smartphone than they desire.
On a positive note, the inclusion of a periscope camera in the iPhone 15 Pro Max addresses a notable omission from previous iPhone models. Competitors, particularly the Galaxy S23 Ultra, have emphasized periscope lenses and digital zoom capabilities, with Samsung’s flagship offering zoom levels of up to 100x, yielding impressive results.
It’s worth noting that rival manufacturers tend to reserve periscope lenses for their larger devices, likely due to space constraints. Although Apple has consistently overcome space limitations in the iPhone Pro series to deliver thermal efficiency and extended battery life, it may simply be physically impossible to incorporate a periscope lens into the iPhone 15 Pro. Consequently, it seems that in 2023, iPhone buyers who desire the best features will have to opt for larger devices.
Additionally, the sales of the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini demonstrated that while there was vocal support for smaller smartphones, it was not as significant as initially assumed. Hence, it may not be a challenging sell for Apple, especially for those enticed by the slim bezels, next-generation A17 chip, and the shift to USB-C in the Pro models.
However, if the iPhone 15 Pro Max does indeed break feature parity after years of maintaining it, and if the prices of both the Pro and Pro Max increase as expected, there may be backlash from critics and a surge of “iPhone 15 Pro-ish” memes.
A recent leak suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will exclusively feature a periscope lens, which has surprised many iPhone fans. This departure from the traditional feature parity between Pro and Pro Max models may require users who prefer smaller smartphones to compromise on advanced camera capabilities. While space constraints could be a factor, Apple’s decision reflects the growing trend of rival manufacturers offering enhanced zoom capabilities exclusively on their larger devices. The iPhone 15 release is anticipated with great curiosity, as consumers weigh the trade-offs between size and features.