The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max is set to boast one of the best Telephoto cameras on any smartphone, according to leakster Instant Digital. The rumored upgrade features an upgraded 48-megapixel lens offering up to 8× optical zoom and a moving lens for multiple focal lengths.
This will allow users to switch between 5× and 8× optical zoom without sensor cropping tricks. However, the added complexity may result in a larger camera bump on iPhone 17 Pro models.
In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro models feature a fixed 12-megapixel Telephoto lens with a 120mm focal length and a 5× optical zoom option. Apple’s main rear camera uses sensor cropping for a 2× optical zoom, but this is less effective in large photos.
The leak comes from Instant Digital, an account with over 1.5 million followers on Weibo, who has accurately leaked information about the iPhone 14 and other Apple products in the past. However, their track record isn’t perfect, and details remain to be confirmed.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/15/iphone-17-pro-max-telephoto-camera-rumor