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The main manufacturer of tetraprism lenses for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is now said to initially be the sole supplier of it for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Backing up the expectation that the iPhone 16 Pro will gain the 5x optical zoom feature first seen in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, a new report says that one supplier is providing the tetraprism lens to both new Pro models. LG Innotek reportedly has the exclusive contract for at least the initial stock of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
According to The Elec, that initial stock represents over half of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max that Apple produces by the end of 2024. Once that initial stock is sold, Apple is expected to add suppliers Foxconn and Cowell, to have three firms producing the lens from then on.
The aim of adding these two suppliers is said to be to drive down cost. If so, it’s not clear why Apple would not start off production with all three firms, though.
It is clearer why LG Innotek is one of the three suppliers, however. In December 2023, it was reported that multiple firms — including Sony, Jahwa, and also LG Innotek — had found difficulties with production yields.
Presumably LG Innotek surmounted its problems, and possibly neither Jahwa nor Sony did theirs. Jahwa is said to still be producing the component for the folded zoom lens modules, though.
Note that The Elec has a strong reputation for its sources within the supply industry. However, it has a substantially poorer reputation for the conclusions it draws from those sources about Apple’s plans.
