A Bigger Camera Bump? Here’s What the iPhone 15 Pro Max Could Look Like

While this year’s iPhone 15 lineup is expected to retain the same overall design as the current iPhone models, there are rumors of numerous small but interesting tweaks that will refine the aesthetic and user experience of the upcoming models.

The rumors we’ve heard so far point to a slightly larger screen with the smallest bezels ever, a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island, and solid-state buttons with adjustable sensitivity. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are also expected to get a titanium frame to replace the stainless steel finish Apple has traditionally used for its premium iPhones.

It’s also pretty much a given that Apple will move to USB-C ports across the board. The company has little choice in the matter as regulators in Europe and elsewhere begin to push for a common charging standard across all mobile platforms in an effort to reduce e-waste. Apple has already signaled the end of the Lightning port by moving its entry-level 2022 iPad to USB-C and reportedly plans to ditch Lightning on its small accessories by the end of next year.

There have also been hints that Apple plans to beef up the optical zoom capabilities on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, likely through the use of a new periscope lens. However, it also shouldn’t be a surprise that, even with today’s level of miniaturization, better cameras are still bigger, which means the iPhone 15 Pro models are likely to get a bigger camera bump.

That’s precisely what we’re seeing in a new set of renders of the iPhone 15 Pro Max shared on Twitter over the weekend by well-known leaker ShrimpApplePro.

Sources for the report indicate that the camera bump could grow by up to 5 percent, protruding by up to 3.78mm from the rear glass to the camera lenses. Other reports we’ve seen over the past few months also indicated the camera module would grow but suggested the increase would be more modest.

A follow-up tweet acknowledges that these measurements may differ from others, but the leaker believes these latest ones are accurate, as they came from the same source as the iPhone 14 renders they shared last year, which turned out to be “super accurate.”

In that same tweet, ShrimpApplePro shares additional dimensions, adding that the lens will actually protrude less than the current model, shrinking from 2.33mm down to 1.73mm. It’s the “camera plateau” that’s expected to account for the overall increase, going from 1.85mm on the iPhone 14 Pro Max to 2.05mm on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. If accurate, this will push the total thickness of the iPhone 15 Pro Max from the front of the screen to the rear of the lenses up to 8.25mm, compared to 7.85mm on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Apple has increased the size of the camera module; it’s almost an annual occurrence at this point. However, past increases have typically been too small to really notice unless you’re trying to use an older case.

It’s important to keep in mind that the CAD renders shared by ShrimpApplePro didn’t come directly from Apple. Rather, they’re mockups created by accessory manufacturers to help them begin designing cases for the upcoming iPhone models. It would be unusual for Apple to release measurements to its accessory partners this early in the iPhone release cycle, so these renders were likely produced based on leaked specs.

Nevertheless, physical measurements are one of the hardest things for Apple to keep under wraps once a new model enters the first stages of test manufacturing, so they often turn out to be surprisingly accurate.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]