iPhone 17 Slim probably won't have a telephoto camera

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The rumored iPhone 17 Slim won't have a telephoto camera on the back, with a report insisting it will still be a Pro-level feature in 2025.

Three smartphones floating side by side in different shades: gold, silver, and green, highlighting minimalist design and camera lenses, against a gradient background.
Renders of what the iPhone 17 Slim could look like



The iPhone 17 Slim is thought to include quite a few impressive features, but it won't be a Pro-grade device. That means it won't be getting a telephoto camera at all.

In a report from TheElec about LG Innotek investing 375.9 billion won ($267.4 million) into new camera module facilities, it discusses the target market for the modules. It reveals that the modules will be destined for the iPhone 17 generation, Apple's 2025 smartphone line.

The discussion explains that the cameras in the iPhone 17 will have better specifications. However, the folded zoom of the telephoto lens will only be available in the two Pro models, as usual.

If this is true, that means the iPhone 17 generation will get a combo of two lenses for the non-Pro versions, consisting of an ultra-wide lens and a standard wide version. As the rumored iPhone 17 Slim, Fold, or Air is believed to be a non-Pro model, it therefore won't get the telephoto camera.

This is somewhat to be expected, given the production challenges behind the Fold. With a thickness of just 6mm, it will be a challenge for Apple to include multiple bulky camera modules in the design.

Indeed, it is currently speculated that Apple could include just one camera in the model, because of the space limitations.

While one camera could be included, users may not necessarily lose out on having two physical lenses. Since it already uses a crop from a high-resolution wide-angle lens to create a 2x zoom, it could reuse the trick with the one camera in the Fold to fake having two cameras.

The iPhone 17 Slim is also expected to have an A19 chip, a 6.6-inch display, and a 24-megapixel front camera.

Rumor Score: Possible

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,122member
    It is only supposed to have one camera. I’m not sure anyone expected it to be a tele. It would be the regular camera, maybe with a 48mp so you could do a bit of digital zoom, but that would be it. 
    tht
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  • Reply 2 of 8
    Pemapema Posts: 202member
    Good. Great. Where do I sign? This whole pointless and senseless obsession with the camera, the camera, the camera. I would much rather Apple spent its time and resources on constantly improving security; the annoying keyboard that I constantly make errors on - and I am a touch typist on the Mac; more streamlined and intuitive way to navigate the settings without having to reach for the Encyclopaedia to find a setting to turn something off or on. 
    For my money I am happy for Apple to offer an iPhone Slim with just a basic camera that let's me take photos, particularly those where there is a reflective surface that does not show me taking the photo. That is so annoying. 

    If I wanted to become Ansel Adams I would have gone to a Photography class and bought a Leica not some silly phone. 
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  • Reply 3 of 8
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 8,096member
    I'd say it's impossible that this relates to an iPhone Fold with the current 'thinness' of folding phones already at 3.66mm (unfolded). They will only get thinner over the next two years with the exceptions being the camera bump and charging port.

    An option for a non-folding, 'slim' phone could include a retractable lens as that is already an option on a high end Android flagship. 
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  • Reply 4 of 8
    M68000m68000 Posts: 907member
    I think most people would want a longer lasting battery,  even if it means a slightly thicker phone.  Nobody cares about having the thinnest phone if battery life is a joke compared with regular phones.  I think breakthroughs in battery technology are more important than cameras.  Battery breakthroughs are the next big thing,  not cameras.
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  • Reply 5 of 8
    thttht Posts: 5,800member
    M68000 said:
    I think most people would want a longer lasting battery,  even if it means a slightly thicker phone.  Nobody cares about having the thinnest phone if battery life is a joke compared with regular phones.  I think breakthroughs in battery technology are more important than cameras.  Battery breakthroughs are the next big thing,  not cameras.
    Apple is likely designing this “iPhone Air” to have similar battery life to existing iPhone models. If they achieve it, then, a lot of people will care, and will buy it. 

    Having too thick of a phone for runtime that most people don’t need isn’t really a good feature either. That’s the trick with marketing phones: they have to balance the features to offer the most value for the money. 
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  • Reply 6 of 8
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,122member
    tht said:
    M68000 said:
    I think most people would want a longer lasting battery,  even if it means a slightly thicker phone.  Nobody cares about having the thinnest phone if battery life is a joke compared with regular phones.  I think breakthroughs in battery technology are more important than cameras.  Battery breakthroughs are the next big thing,  not cameras.
    Apple is likely designing this “iPhone Air” to have similar battery life to existing iPhone models. If they achieve it, then, a lot of people will care, and will buy it.  
    Honestly I would not be at all surprised if Apple makes the Air for a couple or three years and then drops it due to low demand. It could be the Mini models all over again. Fewer features at a higher price all for a difference that’s almost unnoticeable unless you hold them up next to each other? A difference that will vanish when it gets a case put on it? I could be wrong, but it would not surprise me at all if there just isn’t that much demand for it. 
    edited November 2024
    williamlondon
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  • Reply 7 of 8
    Apple knows camera features upsell phones but people don't use them. The upsell here is the form
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  • Reply 8 of 8
    thttht Posts: 5,800member
    DAalseth said:
    tht said:
    M68000 said:
    I think most people would want a longer lasting battery,  even if it means a slightly thicker phone.  Nobody cares about having the thinnest phone if battery life is a joke compared with regular phones.  I think breakthroughs in battery technology are more important than cameras.  Battery breakthroughs are the next big thing,  not cameras.
    Apple is likely designing this “iPhone Air” to have similar battery life to existing iPhone models. If they achieve it, then, a lot of people will care, and will buy it.  
    Honestly I would not be at all surprised if Apple makes the Air for a couple or three years and then drops it due to low demand. It could be the Mini models all over again. Fewer features at a higher price all for a difference that’s almost unnoticeable unless you hold them up next to each other? A difference that will vanish when it gets a case put on it? I could be wrong, but it would not surprise me at all if there just isn’t that much demand for it. 
    We all hope Apple begins to address more niches in the iPhone market. The iPhone mini had something like a 5m to 10m unit sales run. This thinner iPhone model may have similar numbers, just like the Plus unit sales numbers. That is an enviable amount for most other companies. 

    They should have a thicker iPhone mini that has the same battery runtime as contemporary iPhone models. A thin model for those who want that.

    I have been want an iPhone with no camera bump ever since the 5S, sigh. 
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