We had already heard rumors that Apple might enhance the iPhone camera with a periscope-style lens, but that particular feature has been detailed in a new patent.

Apple has patented a "folding camera" lens (via Patently Apple). While it is likely too late for this innovation to be included in the iPhone 13, it is possible that it will be included in the iPhone 14.

Adding a periscope lens to the iPhone makes a lot of sense, especially when compared to competitors' cameras. The trouble with optical zoom lenses is that the higher the zoom factor, the larger the focal length must be. This requires a longer lens mechanism.

Currently, Apple's optical zooms are stacked horizontally, but there is only so much that can be added before the phone becomes too thick. The current iPhone 12 offers no telephoto lens at all, while the iPhone 12 Pro offers 2x telephoto zoom, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max raises it to 2.5x.

The iPhone 12 series offers up to 5x digital zoom, the iPhone 12 Pro offers up to 10x, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers 12x.

Periscope lenses allow Apple to stack lenses vertically. This is a technology used by several other major cell phone companies like Huawei and Samsung, which is why you can buy phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with 10x optical zoom capability.

Apple's description of the periscope is quite literal. The key difference, however, is that Apple built its "folding camera" with two prisms instead of the usual one. The lens system is located between the two prisms and includes "a lens element with an aperture stop and refractive power attached to the lens barrel."

It is certainly an interesting design. The first prism directs light from the camera to the zoom lens system, which is very standard for periscope lenses. However, instead of the sensor being under the lens array, the second prism redirects the sensor again. It is not clear why Apple chose to do this, but it is clear that the design is differentiated enough to get a patent approved.

It is unclear how much optical zoom range this particular lens design will provide. However, it does mean that Apple has room to go well beyond the existing iPhone 12 range. The only question is whether and when this design will be used in an actual iPhone.

While it is a little too close to the iPhone 13 launch to make that particularly likely, there is still plenty of time before the iPhone 14 launch for Apple to potentially make this feature a reality. And given that Apple already has the best camera phone, this will only make the situation better.