This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Apple has provided surprises with each new iPhone generation – and the iPhone 17 Pro also appears to bring a number of new features. According to current rumors, there's a lot going on with the camera, in particular. In addition to well-known leaks about the design and new features, the telephoto camera is now the focus of particular interest. And here, Apple could be trying something completely new, one that might seem contradictory at first glance, but should bring real benefits in practice.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected this fall and, according to multiple sources, will feature some significant hardware upgrades. The biggest change likely concerns the camera—more specifically, the telephoto lens. There have been indications for some time that Apple is planning a new setup. Now, a well-known leaker who goes by the name Majin Bu has released further details that also match previous reports. In addition to a new sensor, the zoom functions and selfie camera are also expected to be redesigned.
New 48-megapixel telephoto lens planned
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are currently equipped with a 12-megapixel telephoto lens that offers 5x optical zoom. According to Majin Bu, Apple will switch to a 48-megapixel sensor for the iPhone 17 Pro. The special feature: the optical zoom will be reduced to 3.5x – less than its predecessor. This may sound like a step backward at first. But Apple is pursuing a similar strategy as with the main camera: The sensor delivers a high resolution, from which a section is digitally selected to achieve the desired zoom – without the typical loss of quality with digital zoom. Just as the iPhone 16 currently uses a 48-megapixel sensor for its main camera and crops it to create a 2x "telephoto zoom" photo, the iPhone 17 Pro will also be able to digitally zoom up to 7x using the new telephoto camera – with solid image quality (via MajinBuOfficial).
Why Apple relies on 3.5x zoom
According to Majin Bu, switching to a 3.5x zoom lens could be particularly beneficial for portrait photos. With the current 5x zoom, you often have to stand too far away from the subject, which is impractical. With a 3.5x zoom, the distance becomes shorter and thus more suitable for everyday use – without having to forego high zoom completely. The digital zoom fills the gap. This approach is also reminiscent of Samsung's current strategy. While Samsung previously relied on a true 10x zoom lens, the Galaxy S25 Ultra now uses a 5x zoom with a 50-megapixel sensor. Here, too, the higher resolution ensures that more is possible digitally. Whether Apple will do better with the 3.5x zoom depends, of course, on the implementation – and on how good the digital cropping actually looks. Important: Majin Bu is not always accurate with his leaks, so you should treat his statements with a certain degree of caution. But they fit with other reports that suggest similar plans.
New front camera and 8K video function planned
The telephoto camera isn't the only change you can expect. According to several sources, the front camera is also set to be redesigned. Instead of the current 12-megapixel selfie camera, the iPhone 17 Pro – just like the other models in the iPhone 17 series – will feature a new 24-megapixel camera on the front. This would make selfies significantly more detailed and also provide an upgrade for FaceTime and social media videos. It's also rumored that Apple will enable 8K video for the first time with the iPhone 17 Pro. Until now, this was only available with the Android competition. For video creators and tech fans, this could be a real argument for upgrading – provided storage space and battery life keep up.
When will the iPhone 17 Pro be released?
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to be unveiled in September, as usual. Apple is naturally keeping a low profile on details, but the leaks so far paint a clear picture: The camera is the focus this time around. Whether you're into high-quality portraits, flexible zoom, or high-resolution selfies, it looks like Apple is making the right adjustments to all of its cameras.
iPhone 17 Pro: The camera upgrade for photo enthusiasts
The iPhone 17 Pro, with its new 48-megapixel telephoto camera, could strike an exciting balance between optical and digital zoom. The step from 5x to 3.5x zoom may sound like a step backward at first, but it actually brings advantages in practice – especially for portrait shots. Added to that is a new 24-megapixel selfie camera and the possible introduction of 8K video recording. Even though not everything is official yet, the evidence is clear: The iPhone 17 Pro will be a major upgrade, especially for photography enthusiasts. If you're an iPhone user who regularly uses the camera, you should keep an eye on September. The iPhone 17 Pro could be the device that changes the way you take photos. (Image: FrontPageTech)
- iOS 19: These iPhones will miss out, according to leaker
- Leaker: iPhone 17 Pro should be able to record 8K videos
