- New Realme 16 Pro+ box leaks strongly hint at the return of a periscope telephoto camera, marking a major upgrade from the previous generation.
- The periscope lens comeback suggests Realme is pushing the 16 Pro+ toward a more premium flagship position with better long-range zoom performance.
- Early leaks and industry chatter point to an early January launch, with expectations of a higher price due to the advanced camera hardware.
Realme might be gearing up for a big camera upgrade in its next flagship-level phone. This week, a photo claiming to show the Realme 16 Pro+ retail box popped up online, and it has already raised speculation that the company plans to bring back the periscope telephoto lens, a feature it skipped on the Realme 15 series.
A closer look at the Realme 16 Pro+ box leak
The leaked image, shared on Chinese social platforms, shows a camera layout that strongly resembles a periscope-style lens. While nothing is officially confirmed, the design hints at Realme taking a more photography-focused approach with the 16 Pro+.
A periscope camera uses a sideways internal lens system and mirrors to achieve higher optical zoom without making the phone overly bulky. It is typically found in higher-end devices because the technology is more expensive to produce. If Realme brings this feature back, it could mark a significant upgrade over the Realme 15 Pro.
Why Realme might be making this change
There has been chatter in China that the Realme 15 series hasn’t performed as strongly as the company hoped. Although Realme hasn’t addressed these claims publicly, it would make sense for the brand to boost its next release with more premium hardware to regain momentum.
Reintroducing a periscope lens would help the Realme 16 Pro+ stand out in a competitive market, especially among users who depend on optical zoom and high-quality mobile photography.
Details still limited
Aside from the leaked box photo, there is very little confirmed information about the Realme 16 Pro+. Key specifications such as the chipset, battery size, fast-charging capabilities, and pricing remain a mystery for now.
While retail packaging leaks can be telling, they aren’t always final. Realme could still adjust its hardware or positioning before launch.
Realme is expected to share more information sometime in early January, though the company has not officially announced a launch date. Until then, all details should be treated as preliminary.
If the leak is accurate, the Realme 16 Pro+ could mark Realme’s return to more advanced camera hardware, potentially making it a stronger flagship competitor. A periscope lens would give the device a notable edge, though it may also push the price higher.
For now, fans will have to wait for Realme’s official announcement to see how much of the leak turns out to be true.
