Ming-Chi Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Max will dominate initial shipments with new periscope camera

According to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans that the premium iPhone 15 Pro Max model will account for approximately 35-40% of the initial shipments of the entire iPhone 15 series. This will make the Pro Max the most dominant model among the four variants of the line. Apple also plans to increase shipments of the Pro Max model by 10-20% compared to last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Periscope lens as the main factor in the possible increase in sales of the iPhone 15 Pro Max

One of the features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max that is expected to increase consumer interest in it is its exclusive periscope lens camera. This new lens will offer a significantly higher optical zoom range of 5x-6x, compared to the 3x optical zoom available in current models. The periscopic lens will be exclusive to the Pro Max model this year, but is expected to be included in the smaller iPhone 16 Pro next year.

Information about production and suppliers

Apple and its exclusive supplier of periscope camera lenses, Largan, plan to produce 15-20 million iPhones equipped with this component. This production is expected to increase by 70-80% to about 30 million units next year. The periscopic lens is significantly more expensive, costing three to four times more than a traditional high-end lens. This means that Largan will benefit significantly from the partnership with Apple.

Price increase and launch details

The inclusion of a new periscopic lens and other improvements could lead Apple to increase the price of the Pro Max model by at least $100 compared to the previous generation. The iPhone 15 series is expected to debut in a few weeks, and rumors suggest that the event will take place on Tuesday, September 12. Pre-orders are likely to begin a few days later, with the official launch taking place on Friday, September 22.

Supply chain and accessibility

Although there were rumors about a possible delay in the launch of the Pro Max model, Kuo clarified that mass deliveries will begin this week. Although there may be some supply constraints at the initial stage, it is expected that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available along with the rest of the new lineup.

By focusing on the high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple seems to be optimistic about customer reaction to the new periscope lens feature, which has been used in Android smartphones for quite some time.