Apple may bring a periscope camera to iPhone — but not until 2023

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By Mark Anthony Ramirez
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Periscope camera possible for iPhone in 2023

Aplle iPhone with periscope camera
(Image credit: Apple)

Each new iteration of the iPhone tends to pack camera improvements as Apple continues to push the limits of smartphone photography. However, Apple has lagged behind when it comes to telephoto zoom lens capabilities. Some Android phones offer 3x zoom and up to 10x in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which uses a periscope camera. 

A few months back, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple is working on bringing a periscope camera to the iPhone lineup in 2022. However, he recently (via MacRumors) stated that more than likely, a periscope camera won't actually arrive until 2023. 

Don't be disappointed, though, Apple folks; according to Kuo, there will be other iPhone camera improvements. Kuo believes there will be upgrades to the telephoto camera from a 5-element lens to a 6-element one in 2021, and in 2022, there will be another upgrade to a 7-element lens.

According to Kuo, the front-facing camera should also see an upgrade in the form of a "unibody lens design" that will make the front camera module smaller. There have also been many rumors of Apple using a behind-the-screen camera in upcoming iPhones. 

Lastly, Kuo mentioned that the rumored Apple AR headset might be coming next year. The headset will supposedly use 15 camera modules to aid with the AR experience. Kuo also stated that while the current prototypes weigh between 200 and 300 grams. Apple will bring that down below 200 grams for its final production units. Kuo thinks the units will cost around $1,000 and come with micro-OLED displays.  

Mark Anthony Ramirez
Mark Anthony Ramirez

Mark has spent 20 years headlining comedy shows around the country and made appearances on ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, Food Network, and Sirius XM Radio. He has written about every topic imaginable, from dating, family, politics, social issues, and tech. He wrote his first tech articles for the now-defunct Dads On Tech 10 years ago, and his passion for combining humor and tech has grown under the tutelage of the Laptop Mag team. His penchant for tearing things down and rebuilding them did not make Mark popular at home, however, when he got his hands on the legendary Commodore 64, his passion for all things tech deepened. These days, when he is not filming, editing footage, tinkering with cameras and laptops, or on stage, he can be found at his desk snacking, writing about everything tech, new jokes, or scripts he dreams of filming.