alt Hacker NewsThis is the first time they use linear (classic zoom) design. The previous one was a 90-degree periscope design. From 16 Pro Max specifications:
> 12MP 5x Telephoto: 120 mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture and 20° field of view, 100% Focus Pixels, seven-element lens, 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and autofocus, tetraprism design. 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range
An image showing what they did earlier: https://i.4pda.ws/s/as6yz0d0FvbZniF2YYSyZ3z2HOWajz2.jpg
There's absolutely no reason for them to introduce a new mechanical camera system. They previously marketed their cropping of the center 12MP of their 48MP sensor as 2x optical zoom. They will use the same method here.