This year, the iPhone 15 series will be launched with a hybrid lens, using a larger aperture - a first for the iPhone.
According to the latest prediction from Twitter user "RGcloudS", the iPhone 15 generation will have a glass-plastic hybrid lens with an aperture of ƒ/1.7. Apple will then expand this technology with next year's iPhone 16 models.
This upgrade makes the iPhone 15 "family" the first international smartphone models to feature a hybrid lens design (Xiaomi's current smartphones with this technology are only sold in China). Hybrid lenses will have 1 glass element and 6 plastic elements. Currently, the wide camera on the iPhone 14 series has 7 plastic components.
Concept photo of iPhone 15 Pro/ iPhone 15 Pro Max in red.
In addition, the main camera of the iPhone 15 series will also have an aperture of ƒ/1.7, slightly increased compared to the ƒ/1.79 aperture on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will be equipped with a 48-megapixel rear camera – which was integrated on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max last year. Last year, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus had an aperture of ƒ/1.5, so the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus pair may have their aperture lowered this year.
While the iPhone 15 models will use the same 48-megapixel Sony IMX sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the larger aperture will allow the wide-angle camera to capture up to 20% more light. A larger aperture collects more light, leading to better performance in low light and the ability to use faster shutter speeds. Additionally, this can also create a shallower depth of field, which helps highlight the subject of the photo by blurring the background more.
The iPhone 15 series will have a standard 48MP camera.
With next year's iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple will upgrade the wide-angle camera to a hybrid lens design consisting of 8 elements, including: 2 glass elements and 6 plastic elements. "Apple" will also introduce 5- and 6-element hybrid lenses on the telephoto camera and ultra-wide-angle camera, provided by Sunny Optical Technology.
Last week, Twitter users claimed the iPhone 15 series could use stacked battery technology to increase capacity and extend lifespan. Now, the source has clearly confirmed that this upgrade will be for the iPhone 16 series along with 40W wired charging and 20W wireless charging via MagSafe. Also in 2024, Apple will simultaneously introduce larger image sensors and stacked battery technology.
In short, if iFan wants to have iPhones with superior photography capabilities and faster battery charging, wait for the iPhone 16 Series. This year, the iPhone 15 generation only has a slight upgrade in aperture and uses the first generation hybrid lens.