It hasn’t even been two months since the iPhone 15 came out, and rumors about the iPhone 16 series are already on the internet. Earlier this month, we reported how the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max could offer several improvements over the current generations. Now, a new report claims that the upcoming Pro iPhone models will use molded glass lenses.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Could Use Molded Glass Lenses
According to a report by AppleInsider, which cites a supply chain report, the iPhone 16 Pro could come with molded glass lenses to reduce the camera bump’s thickness and weight. At the same time, the new type of lenses will help improve the magnification distance. In the past, we’ve heard that the iPhone 16 Pro will come with a larger form factor. Instead of the regular 6.1-inch screen, the phone could ship with a 6.3-inch display. Hence, this will allow the company to equip it with the tetraprism crystal lens it introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple’s suppliers are already preparing for the 2024 iPhone lineup, which includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Out of these, the two Pro models could utilize the molded glass lenses to save space and reduce weight. As mentioned earlier, these lenses provide higher magnification levels, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the amount of zoom will increase. Instead, the company could offer the same zoom but with thinner lenses.
The report mentions that other manufacturers might also attempt to make phones with molded lenses. Often, we’ve seen Apple launch a new feature, which is copied by the entire smartphone industry. For instance, the iconic notch that helped Apple accommodate Face ID in the iPhone X became a trend and was later spotted on several Android phones. Most recently, we’ve seen Android manufacturers copy the Dynamic Island Apple unveiled with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
What Are Molded Glass Lenses?
Traditionally, camera lenses consist of several pieces of glass in different shapes and sizes. Together, these pieces act as a giant lens that focuses the image on the camera sensor. However, using multiple glass pieces in a lens increases the overall weight and manufacturing cost.
On the other hand, glass molding is a technique that is used to heat the glass to a point where it turns soft. Later, it is molded in the required shape and size using precision molding mechanisms. As a result, the single molded glass sphere is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and reduces the manufacturing cost, too.
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