iPhone 17 Pro camera may gain 8x zoom and a new Pro app

AppleInsider

The iPhone 17 Pro could get a few camera upgrades, including an upgraded optical zoom and a "pro" version of the Camera app, if an unnamed tipster is to be believed.

A render of a possible Copper-colored iPhone 17 Pro - Image Credit: AppleInsider

The Pro models of iPhone often include camera features that are welcomed by photographers and videographers alike. For the iPhone 17 Pro line, this trend may continue thanks to a selection of extra camera changes.

According to an unnamed tipster of MacRumors, Apple is lining up three new features for its iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

The first is an upgrade to the telephoto lens. While the iPhone 16 Pro models sport a 5x optical zoom, thanks to its Tetraprism lens arrangement, the iPhone 16 Pro could go to an 8x optical magnification.

This is apparently caused by a new moving lens, which will provide a continuous optical zoom across multiple focal lengths.

The other hardware-specific camera rumor is the Camera Control button, with the claim of another situated on the top edge. This will apparently be used for quickly accessing the camera and other related settings.

This would theoretically be a second Camera Control button, with the original staying put.

Pro-level Camera app

The third imaging claim from the tipster is app-based. Apple is apparently bringing out a new pro Camera app, handling both photos and videos.

The app would go against other rival camera apps that already provide a lot of extended functionality, including versions from Halide, Kino, and Filmic Pro.

While it is unclear if the app will be limited only to the Pro models, it may not be an all-new app. The tipster adds that it could be a case of the Final Cut Camera app being overhauled for professional usage.

Aside from the new camera claims, the tipster also reinforced rumors about the copper color option and the recentered Apple logo.

As an anonymous tipster, there is no track record to go with here, and MacRumors itself admits that it cannot confirm any of the information. The tipster also said they were familiar with an alleged iPhone 17 Pro commercial being produced by Division Film of Slovenia, which counts Apple as a client.

As to whether the claims are credible, an improvement to the optical zoom isn't outside the bounds of reality, nor is the app claim. The additional button is tougher to believe, due to the extra challenges to the design of an already densely-packed device, as well as doubts it could really would provide enough utility.

Though the specific claims of the tipster haven't been discussed in previous rumor rounds, it does at least match the general thrust of improvements written by Mark Gurman back in February.

This included Apple being increasingly focused on photographic and video capabilities for the iPhone line. An apparent goal was to tempt videographers and content creators into using the iPhone more, instead of standalone cameras, with September's event expected to focus on this aspect.

Other previous camera rumors have included a claim that the Telephoto sensor will shift to 48 megapixels, as well as a better TrueDepth camera with a 24-megapixel resolution.

Rumor Score: Possible

Read on AppleInsider

wood1208

What I am reading about iPhone 17 series and ios26 is great. Can't wait to get my hand on. Will the back of iPhone 17 Pro will look like the picture in this article or just someone's imagination ?

edited July 27

appleinsideruser

Perhaps they should/will call it the iPhone 26? 

diman80

appleinsideruser said:

Perhaps they should/will call it the iPhone 26? 

They should.
The classic way was reasonable and understandable before with just a few devices, not with current variety of products.
They should also name their chips that way (A26, M26, H26).

They should also add yyyy.mm. prefix to app versions on the AppStore.

Eliminates all confusion.

melgross

So wait, is this saying (rumor, rumor) that we will be getting a tele optical zoom lens? Because, if so, that’s a very odd way to describe it. Otherwise, it sounds like the old Leica various focal lens, which was not quite a zoom because you would move the “zoom” control, but just get several fixed focal lengths.

either would be better than no optical zoom. But I would prefer a true 3x optical zoom for the main camera. Something like 24-72mm equivalent. That would make their best camera more like a stand alone digital camera. Eventually, I’d love a 12-24 for the new ultra wide. And a 72 -288 for the tele. Those ranges because it’s hard to make a wide range wide angle zoom, but easy to make a wide range tele zoom. It would kill the 4:3 format which is barely hanging on as it us.

charlesn

HIGHLY unlikely bordering on impossible that we'll get the zoom that's described. There's just nothing to indicate that Apple or anyone else is at the point where a zoom lens with moving optical elements to provide true optical zoom is possible within the confines of a smartphone and... oh, yeah, it would have to be able to sustain repeated drops and not go out of alignment. Sure, we'll get there eventutally, but how many years did it take Apple just to go from 3x to 5x? And that's only a fixed focal length. Plus, when it did, the 5x would only fit in the Pro Max for the 15 Pro models. No way I'm convinced that in the one year since the 5x could fit into both Pro models, we're going to get a true optical 8X zoom. Sure, I absolutely wish this rumor was true, but I also don't see how this kind of tremendous advancement in smartphone lens technology could have flown under the radar until now. 

edited July 27

diman80

melgross said:

So wait, is this saying (rumor, rumor) that we will be getting a tele optical zoom lens? Because, if so, that’s a very odd way to describe it. Otherwise, it sounds like the old Leica various focal lens, which was not quite a zoom because you would move the “zoom” control, but just get several fixed focal lengths.

either would be better than no optical zoom. But I would prefer a true 3x optical zoom for the main camera. Something like 24-72mm equivalent. That would make their best camera more like a stand alone digital camera. Eventually, I’d love a 12-24 for the new ultra wide. And a 72 -288 for the tele. Those ranges because it’s hard to make a wide range wide angle zoom, but easy to make a wide range tele zoom. It would kill the 4:3 format which is barely hanging on as it us.

You had a true optical 12-24mm lens for a while, but something over 120mm (like the current 5x) will really slow down aperture and make the tiny lens less sharp. Plus, using it in cities can be a privacy issue and is like having a candid camera. At 288mm, a phone camera is not immediately obvious to someone being filmed or photographed.

Now, on the iPhone 15-16 Pro/Pro Max, you have true optical 12mm (0.5x), 24mm (1x), and 120mm (5x) lenses at full resolution, and 48mm cropped.

In previous few generations, you also had 12mm (0.5x), 24mm (1x), and 60mm (2.5x) or 72mm (3x) lenses at full resolution.

What would be great (and likely will come with 17 Pro models) is 48mp sensor on all three cameras and faster lenses with less distortion. Then it is possible that they will switch to significantly improved 4x (8x cropped matching this rumor).

edited July 27

liuping

charlesn said:

HIGHLY unlikely bordering on impossible that we'll get the zoom that's described. There's just nothing to indicate that Apple or anyone else is at the point where a zoom lens with moving optical elements to provide true optical zoom is possible within the confines of a smartphone

Sony already has a phone with a moving optical zoom and other are coming. There is also the Liquid lens focusing system that allows for a variable optical zoom.

https://www.digit.in/features/mobile-phones/8-best-periscope-telephoto-camera-phones-for-optical-zoom-in-2024.html

There were rumors the iPhone 12 Max Pro would have one of these, but it did not make the cut. It's been 2 year since then, so it's not unreasonable that it's finally coming

edited 4:10PM

melgross

charlesn said:

HIGHLY unlikely bordering on impossible that we'll get the zoom that's described. There's just nothing to indicate that Apple or anyone else is at the point where a zoom lens with moving optical elements to provide true optical zoom is possible within the confines of a smartphone and... oh, yeah, it would have to be able to sustain repeated drops and not go out of alignment. Sure, we'll get there eventutally, but how many years did it take Apple just to go from 3x to 5x? And that's only a fixed focal length. Plus, when it did, the 5x would only fit in the Pro Max for the 15 Pro models. No way I'm convinced that in the one year since the 5x could fit into both Pro models, we're going to get a true optical 8X zoom. Sure, I absolutely wish this rumor was true, but I also don't see how this kind of tremendous advancement in smartphone lens technology could have flown under the radar until now. 

I’d bet it’s possible, but too expensive for the purpose. Getting the cost down is likely the main problem.

melgross

diman80 said:

melgross said:

So wait, is this saying (rumor, rumor) that we will be getting a tele optical zoom lens? Because, if so, that’s a very odd way to describe it. Otherwise, it sounds like the old Leica various focal lens, which was not quite a zoom because you would move the “zoom” control, but just get several fixed focal lengths.

either would be better than no optical zoom. But I would prefer a true 3x optical zoom for the main camera. Something like 24-72mm equivalent. That would make their best camera more like a stand alone digital camera. Eventually, I’d love a 12-24 for the new ultra wide. And a 72 -288 for the tele. Those ranges because it’s hard to make a wide range wide angle zoom, but easy to make a wide range tele zoom. It would kill the 4:3 format which is barely hanging on as it us.

You had a true optical 12-24mm lens for a while, but something over 120mm (like the current 5x) will really slow down aperture and make the tiny lens less sharp. Plus, using it in cities can be a privacy issue and is like having a candid camera. At 288mm, a phone camera is not immediately obvious to someone being filmed or photographed.

Now, on the iPhone 15-16 Pro/Pro Max, you have true optical 12mm (0.5x), 24mm (1x), and 120mm (5x) lenses at full resolution, and 48mm cropped.

In previous few generations, you also had 12mm (0.5x), 24mm (1x), and 60mm (2.5x) or 72mm (3x) lenses at full resolution.

What would be great (and likely will come with 17 Pro models) is 48mp sensor on all three cameras and faster lenses with less distortion. Then it is possible that they will switch to significantly improved 4x (8x cropped matching this rumor).

I don’t remember the 12-24 lens on any of my iPhones. When was it? I don’t agree about the tele. These are small sensors. The tele and ultra wide sensors are smaller than the main sensor. We have 70 - 200 F2.8 zooms for full frame. Mine is very high quality. It can be done. It really comes down to cost. The entire three cameras can’t cost all that much. It’s why I tell people when they see a Leica or Zeiss lens on a smartphone that they aren’t any better than anyone else’s. When the len’s has a budget of $10, there’s not much you can do.

charlesn

liuping said:

charlesn said:

HIGHLY unlikely bordering on impossible that we'll get the zoom that's described. There's just nothing to indicate that Apple or anyone else is at the point where a zoom lens with moving optical elements to provide true optical zoom is possible within the confines of a smartphone

Sony already has a phone with a moving optical zoom and other are coming. There is also the Liquid lens focusing system that allows for a variable optical zoom.

https://www.digit.in/features/mobile-phones/8-best-periscope-telephoto-camera-phones-for-optical-zoom-in-2024.html

There were rumors the iPhone 12 Max Pro would have one of these, but it did not make the cut. It's been 2 year since then, so it's not unreasonable that it's finally coming

Thanks for this! I didn't know Sony was already there with its 3.5-5.2 true optical zoom. That is a fantastically useful zoom range, as well: assuming Apple's usual 24mm main lens, that's would work out to an 84-125mm telephoto zoom. Now I want to do more reading about that lens to see how it actually performs. Anecdotally speaking, I feel like all the buzz has been about periscope telephoto lenses, while Sony's lens, at least in theory, is a much bigger achievement that seems to be under the radar. (I can't say that I think of Sony being among the major handset makers, either.) Liquid Lens also sounds very exciting, and that would be an entirely new technological approach to achieving true optical zoom. 

melgross said:

I don’t remember the 12-24 lens on any of my iPhones. When was it?

Exactly right. Apple has never had a true optical zoom--i.e., moving optical elements to achieve different focal lengths. Apple lenses have always been fixed focal lengths and any zooming from the specific focal length of a lens has been achieved digitally. This is still true for all the latest 16 models.