Rumor: Apple's iPhone 15 Pro could get a major camera upgrade with 10x optical zoom

2022 has only just begun, and as always Apple will most likely officially present a new iPhone generation in the second half of the year. Even though the iPhone 14 may offer some enticing upgrades, certain analysts are already focusing on 2023, which is when the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are expected to be released. These Apple smartphones are not just rumored to ditch the Lightning port and SIM card slot, but they could also get a noticeable camera upgrade which would allow Apple to catch up to the Android competition.

Similar to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Huawei P40 Pro Plus, Apple is now expected to equip the iPhone 15 Pro's upgraded camera module with a periscope lens which could enable a 10x optical zoom. This is claimed by an according report by MacRumors, which refers to Apple analyst Jeff Pu being the source of this rumor. It's not the first time that hints of an improved periscope camera zoom in an iPhone surface, as the famous Apple leaker Ming-Chi Kuo originally assumed that this feature could already be introduced with the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro.

Kuo has since tempered his expectations, and this latest rumor also asserts that the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro will be the first Apple smartphone with a camera capable of a 10x optical periscope zoom. Although the camera in the current iPhone 13 Pro (from US$999 on Amazon) produces excellent pictures, the integrated 3x optical zoom is not quite on the cutting edge of technology, which is why passionate smartphone photographers may be excited to hear about this rumored camera upgrade for the iPhone 15 Pro.