According to MacRumors, recent leaks align on two major upgrades: both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will reportedly feature a 48MP telephoto camera capable of up to 8x optical zoom.

A notable technical detail is the introduction of a movable lens system, allowing the camera to shift between 5x and 8x focal lengths without cropping the sensor. This marks a significant shift from the fixed 120mm 5x telephoto lens used in the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max with its 12MP module.

This new mechanism requires more components and space, explaining rumors that the camera housing on the iPhone 17 Pro series will be noticeably larger.

9to5Mac emphasizes the movable lens concept, suggesting that Apple might still reserve the most advanced setup for the Pro Max due to its larger physical dimensions. While the iPhone 17 Pro could reach 8x zoom, it may come with compromises in aperture size or low-light performance.

In other words, the full 8x optical experience is likely to debut - or perform best - on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, while the regular Pro might offer a limited version due to space constraints.

Why Apple might keep 8x exclusive to the Pro Max

Telephoto lenses are historically limited by physical size. Achieving extended focal lengths (like 8x) with periscope or tetraprism designs requires sacrificing internal space for lens elements, OIS modules, focus motors, and folded light paths.

Thus, manufacturers often implement these modules in larger devices. Apple followed this path with the iPhone 15 Pro Max (5x), only optimizing the design for the smaller 16 Pro a year later.

Leaks also suggest the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro will feature a thinner and lighter frame, possibly switching to aluminum with a hybrid glass-metal back. However, Apple is reportedly reworking its internal layout around the camera, which hints at tight space management.

On the other hand, the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to be slightly thicker to accommodate a larger battery and the new camera hardware. If Apple wants to maintain bright apertures, reliable autofocus, and mechanical durability at 8x, the Pro Max is the safer bet.

Beyond size, heat dissipation and component durability are also critical. A movable telephoto module needs stable thermal conditions to maintain focus accuracy. Rumors of vapor chamber cooling for the iPhone 17 series further support the idea that Apple may test this high-performance setup on the Pro Max first.

Could the iPhone 17 Pro also get 8x zoom?

Despite the likely advantages of the Pro Max, there is reason to believe that the iPhone 17 Pro could also get 8x zoom - at least nominally. Apple has a history of granting temporary exclusivity. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro Max had 5x zoom, which was later introduced in the 16 Pro.

This suggests Apple may use exclusive features to encourage upgrades to larger models before distributing the innovation across the Pro lineup in later generations. Including 8x zoom on the 17 Pro could also address long-standing user concerns that the smaller Pro models are “camera-limited” compared to their Max counterparts.

The competitive pressure from Android is growing

Brands like Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi have advanced far in telephoto technology, offering long-range zoom and variable focal lengths. To maintain its edge in photography - especially from 24mm to 120/160mm - Apple needs to ensure all Pro models are equipped to compete.

With AI increasingly influencing image processing, a 48MP telephoto module on both Pro variants would give Apple’s fusion algorithms more “clean” data at longer focal lengths, enhancing real-world 8x performance, especially in video.

Reports from MacRumors and Tom’s Guide agree that both Pro models may get the 48MP 8x telephoto, although the extent of “pure optical” zoom may vary.

More than just 8x: The experience matters

According to 9to5Mac, some analysts argue that the breakthrough isn’t merely the 8x figure, but rather the introduction of variable optical zoom via a movable lens. This allows users to adjust the frame without sacrificing detail - unlike cropped digital zoom - particularly in the sensitive 5x–8x range, where hand-shake, distortion, and light loss are serious concerns.

If Apple can refine OIS, sensor-shift stabilization, and computational tools like Deep Fusion and Photonic Engine for a 48MP telephoto lens, the real-world 8x experience could surpass previous generations - even with a smaller aperture on the Pro model.

PhoneArena, however, leans toward the idea that the Pro Max will deliver a “true” 8x optical zoom, while the Pro might use a hybrid approach (e.g., 5x optical + 8x enhanced with sensor cropping and software). If so, Apple will likely emphasize “lossless zoom” at certain focal lengths (as they did with 2x zoom from the main sensor), to minimize the perceived downgrade for users choosing the smaller device.

Since the iPhone 12, Apple has experimented with camera differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max, especially in telephoto modules. If full 8x optical zoom remains exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, it will be a major draw for content creators, travelers, and wildlife photographers who rely on 200–240mm equivalent focal lengths - ranges previously only possible through image stitching or add-on lenses.

Conversely, if the iPhone 17 Pro also gains 8x (even with a slightly dimmer aperture or limited low-light capabilities), Apple will satisfy users who prefer smaller phones while preserving the “Pro” value across the line.

Ultimately, “8x telephoto” is more than a flashy number - it’s a leap that demands precision mechanics, smart image processing, and real physical space. Multiple reliable leaks now point toward a 48MP telephoto camera with variable 5x–8x zoom, a larger camera housing, and a renewed focus on long-range photography in the iPhone 17 generation.

Hai Phong