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.
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.
