This is the company behind the iPhone 16 Pro’s telephoto camera

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published August 26, 2024

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera. — Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

We are just two weeks away from Apple’s expected introduction of the iPhone 16 series. With such a short amount of time left before the big announcement, there’s not much we don’t already know about the company’s upcoming handsets. However, new details are still trickling out.

The Elec media outlet has reported that LG Innotek, a Korean component manufacturer, is producing the first round of telephoto camera sensors for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This company previously supplied similar parts for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. LG will also collaborate with Jahwa Electronics to provide each phone’s optical image stabilization (OIS) actuator.

Recommended Videos

According to the report, LG will provide up to 70% of the telephoto camera sensors for the two handsets, with Foxconn and Cowell providing the other 30%. Initially, Japan’s Sharp was also expected to provide some of the modules before it pulled out.

iPhone 16 Pro dummy units. — iPhone 16 Pro dummy units Sonny Dickson

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro series is anticipated to feature a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, a significant upgrade from the 12MP sensor found on the iPhone 15 Pro. This enhancement should result in ultrawide shots with improved detail, particularly in lowlight conditions. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is also expected to receive improvements across all three lenses, with two glass elements and six plastic elements for each lens.

The smaller iPhone 16 Pro model is projected to have a similar telephoto camera that we only saw on the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year. It will offer 5x optical zoom capabilities and mirror the iPhone 16 Pro Max features. Notably, the iPhone 15 Pro did not have this functionality. This change is due to the larger display on the smaller iPhone 16 Pro model, which is expected to increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches.

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone series (and Apple Watch Series 10) on Tuesday, September 10. While this hasn’t been confirmed yet, the official announcement is expected soon. The event will likely be live-streamed on multiple platforms, and press members are expected to be invited to attend a special event on Apple’s campus.

Former Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Topics

Phones

Musk’s SpaceX could finally launch its carrier service after buying Boost Mobile

Elon Musk found a workaround after major mobile carriers blocked SpaceX’s network request.

SpaceX-Boost-Mobile-deal

Elon Musk wants SpaceX to become more than a rocket and satellite internet company. After Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all turned down SpaceX's request to use their networks, the trillionaire is reportedly exploring a deal with Boost Mobile that could help the company enter the $235 billion US wireless market.

SpaceX has discussed either acquiring Boost or gaining access to its existing cellular network through parent company EchoStar. Neither option has been finalized, but it could give Musk a shortcut into an industry dominated by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Phones

[EXCLUSIVE]: How Lexar made Muse, the world’s thinnest portable SSD that looks like a metal card

Lexar made a sleek metallic SSD that's just one millimeter across and magnetically attaches to your phone. The engineering is also pretty special on this one.

Lexar Muse SSD.

For decades, Lexar has been one of the most reliable names in memory and storage. From the era of megabyte-class storage cards and picture card drives to industry-first high-capacity cards, NVMe drives, and a stainless steel SD card as recently as 2024, the company has seen — and done — it all. Lexar's legacy has been a mainstay in the camera enthusiast community for years, and it's easy to see the brand's logo in a professional's kit.

So, it was only poetic that for its 30th anniversary, Lexar created something special. And this time around, that something special was targeted at smartphones, the device that has quickly become the camera of choice for the entire world. That reveal came at IFA 2026, where Lexar launched Muse, the world’s thinnest SSD. It's stunningly sleek and almost looks like a metallic card. It's so thin that there's not even a USB-C port, and it attaches magnetically to the back of your phone.

Phones

I visited Infinix’s first global flagship store, and it’s unlike any phone store I’ve been to

Phones, coffee, and robots: Infinix's Bali concept store was a delightful surprise

Infinix Flagship Store

I've been to plenty of smartphone stores over the years, and I can't tell any of these experiences apart. Picture neatly arranged tables, rows of smartphones, and the occasional accessory tucked away in a corner. Honestly, this works for most people who show up knowing exactly what they need and just leave.

So, when Infinix invited me to Bali for the grand opening of its first global flagship concept store, I was curious to see what the company had planned. I expected an elaborate showroom and a few extra things, like eye-catching installations to celebrate the occasion. And while there were a few of these, a lot of the things that actually caught my eye were permanent parts of the store.