Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro may pack bigger camera changes than initially rumored. It could sport a higher resolution 8x zoom camera, a new pro camera app with advanced manual controls, and another Camera Control button on the phone’s top edge.
The information comes from a tipster working for a company producing an iPhone 17 Pro commercial.
A big upgrade for the telephoto camera
Several reports and leaks surrounding the iPhone 17 Pro point to only one major camera hardware upgrade: a 48MP resolution boost for the 5x optical shooter. There will be other improvements, like superior video and audio quality, but they would stem from software and ISP enhancements.
If a new leak is accurate, Apple could surprise us with bigger camera changes on the iPhone 17 Pro. As per the tipster, the phone could feature an upgraded telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom. Apparently, the lens will move, enabling continuous optical zoom at different focal lengths.
Huawei uses a similar technology on its recently unveiled Pura 80 Ultra, which uses two periscope zoom lenses, to offer up to 9.4x optical zoom. The phone automatically switches between the two lenses depending on the focal length.
Currently, iPhone 16 Pro models are equipped with 5× optical zoom cameras. Additionally, Apple will supposedly debut a new pro camera app with the iPhone 17 Pro. It will offer a host of advanced manual controls, rivaling popular third-party iPhone camera apps like Halide and Filmic Pro. There’s also a possibility that the company might release this app as an update to the existing Final Cut Camera app.
Second Camera Control button?
Lastly, the tipster says the iPhone 17 Pro will include an additional Camera Control button on the top edge, offering quick access to the camera and its settings. The existing Camera Control button will remain, with the new one designed to complement its functionality. The new button will presumably make it easier to shoot photos and videos in portrait mode, which is becoming more and more popular.
The tipster also affirmed two earlier iPhone 17 rumors. First, the Apple logo will move to the center of the back panel. Second, Apple may introduce a new copper color option.
For now, it’s best to take this new iPhone 17 Pro leak with a pinch of salt, especially since it comes from an unverified source. According to MacRumors, the information comes from an anonymous tipster, who had access to a commercial being shot for the upcoming handsets. Because the tipseer no proven track record, the publication says skepticism is warranted.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
