iPhone 16 Pro Max to pack Sony’s new sensor with double-layer transistors

The iPhone 15 Pro Max kept the 48MP main camera from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it stepped up its game with a unique 5x tetraprism camera. Now, rumors suggest the iPhone 16 Pro Max is set to take camera quality to new heights. While the main camera is rumored to stay at 48 megapixels, a tipster suggests that Apple will use a fresh sensor from Sony and include other improvements.

Last year, info about Sony’s IMX903 came out, but Apple isn’t one to quickly hop on the latest tech trends. The iPhone 15 Pro Max didn’t rock the IMX903, but despite that, critics and reviewers gave a big thumbs up to the flagship’s camera skills. Yet, when it comes to enhancing image quality, software tweaks can only go so far. That’s why Digital Chat Station spilled the beans on Weibo, suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is set to feature this new sensor.

The actual sensor size is a tad larger at 1/1.14 inches compared to the IMX803, and it comes with cool tech like double-layer transistors. The tipster also spilled the beans that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a periscope telephoto lens, a detail that’s been buzzing around the rumor mill, but word is Apple has some unique plans for it this year.

Rather than having just one ‘Pro’ model with a tetraprism zoom camera, the company is hooking up both models with this upgrade, providing customers with more choices.

Interestingly, the tipster only spilled the beans about the iPhone 16 Pro Max getting the IMX903 sensor and didn’t drop a hint about the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. We can guess Apple might try to cut costs by sticking with the previous-gen IMX803 for the iPhone 16 Pro, but it’s too early to say for sure. For now, we suggest taking this rumor with a grain of salt, and we’ll hit you up with more updates down the road.