The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to sport a redesigned rear panel, featuring a horizontally aligned camera module that spans from one side to the other. The introduction of this new elongated camera bar has sparked speculation about its purpose, with various reports suggesting potential enhancements to the flash or LiDAR capabilities. However, insider information hints that the alteration may aim to improve the optical zoom function of the telephoto camera.
iPhone 17 Pro Models’ Telephoto Camera Could Achieve 8x Optical Zoom
In a recent YouTube video, following a notable legal development involving Apple, Jon Prosser of FrontPageTech shared insights regarding the design changes. He pointed out that the significant gap between the triangular camera arrangement on the left and the flash alongside the LiDAR sensor on the right might serve a functional purpose. While acknowledging that this remains speculative, he suggested that Apple could be preparing to install a larger telephoto camera sensor in that space, boosting the optical zoom from the current 5x to 8x.
This hypothesis is supported by a report from MacRumors last month, which cited an unnamed source indicating that both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max may debut a new 48-megapixel telephoto lens equipped with 8x optical zoom. Notably, this lens is reportedly movable, enabling continuous optical zoom across various focal lengths.
Furthermore, the same report indicated that the upcoming Pro models might come with an updated Pro Camera app, designed to provide users with enhanced control over their photography and videography. It remains uncertain whether this app will be available for non-Pro models, and details about whether it will be a brand new offering or an upgrade to the existing Final Cut Camera app are still unclear.
In a separate report by 9to5Mac, it was suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could feature an anti-reflective display akin to the one found in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Additionally, this model is projected to house a larger battery and a 24-megapixel TrueDepth front-facing camera.
