iPhone 17 Pro to Feature 48MP Telephoto Lens: A Game-Changer for Zoom Capabilities
Discover how the iPhone 17 Pro’s rumored 48MP telephoto camera could revolutionize zoom performance, surpassing previous iPhone models.
The iPhone 17 Pro is anticipated to make a major leap in camera technology with a 48-megapixel telephoto sensor. This upgrade is expected to significantly improve zoom performance, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro. Telephoto lenses have been a part of iPhones since the iPhone 7 Plus, which introduced a 2x telephoto sensor, improving portrait mode capabilities. Over the years, Apple has included telephoto lenses in its Pro models, but the standard models, starting from the iPhone 11 Series, have missed out on this feature.
From the iPhone 11 Pro to the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple has consistently integrated advanced telephoto sensors into its high-end models. Despite these improvements, iPhones have been limited by their lower-resolution telephoto cameras, especially when compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S Series. Most iPhones, until now, have stuck with a 12MP telephoto sensor, offering various levels of optical zoom (2x, 3x, and up to 5x in the iPhone 16 Series).
Apple May Finally Boost Sensor Resolution
Consumers and tech critics alike have long desired a higher-resolution sensor in iPhones, especially as rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra already feature a 50MP 5x telephoto camera, enabling superior zoom performance. Similarly, the Pixel 9 Pro boasts a 48MP telephoto sensor, delivering enhanced zoom functionality.
The iPhone 17 Pro, however, could change the game by introducing a 48MP 5x telephoto sensor, bringing Apple’s zoom capabilities closer to its competitors. Analyst Jeff Pu, in a report cited by MacRumors, claims that both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be equipped with this 48MP telephoto camera, marking a significant jump from the current 12MP 5x sensor found in the iPhone 16 Pro models. Alongside the improved camera, Pu suggests that both iPhone models will feature 12GB of RAM, a notable increase from the 8GB in previous versions.
What Does This Mean for iPhone’s Zoom Performance?
Flagship smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, utilize high-resolution telephoto sensors to offer zoom capabilities up to 100x. While optical quality decreases at such high zoom levels, the ability to zoom beyond 50x still gives users more flexibility than what’s possible with current iPhones. The iPhone 16 Pro, for instance, limits digital zoom to 25x, while the iPhone 17 Pro’s rumored 48MP 5x telephoto camera could extend that range with higher-quality zoom shots around 10x and beyond.
With the iPhone 16 Pro already featuring an upgraded 48MP ultrawide sensor, Apple has enhanced the quality of its ProRAW shots and improved macro mode capabilities. If the iPhone 17 Pro’s telephoto lens receives a similar upgrade, Apple could potentially offer a 48MP trio (wide, telephoto, and ultrawide cameras), creating a more versatile and well-rounded camera system.
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