iPhone 17 Pro Supports 8K Video Recording, Suggests Leaker [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Update 7:25 pm: Based on comments from our forums, it appears the original Weibo post may have been mistranslated and "8K" actually refers to the high price of the device rather than 8K video recording capabilities. The iPhone 16 Pro currently starts at 7,999 yuan in China.

Our original article follows below.


Apple's forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro models are capable of shooting 8K video, up from the current maximum 4K capture resolution on the iPhone 16 series, a Chinese leaker has today suggested.

The Weibo-based account Fixed Focus Digital on Wednesday said that the iPhone 17 Pro is "something to look forward to," since 8K video will be "within the user's grasp."

It turns out the leaker could be onto something.

Last September, one report claimed that Apple allegedly tested 8K video recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models. However, the capability was never enabled, likely because of hardware limitations in the current triple-lens camera setup.

The iPhone 16 Pro features 48-megapixel Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras, while the Telephoto camera is 12 megapixels. Since an 8K image is around 33 megapixels, the Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras are theoretically capable of 8K video recording, but the Telephoto camera is not.

The same report suggested that, given the rumored 48-megapixel Telephoto camera coming to the iPhone 17 Pro, 8K video recording might debut on that device instead. Apple's iPhone 17 Pro models are now heavily rumored to feature three 48-megapixel rear cameras, a major improvement over the current 12-megapixel Telephoto lens. That would make all three rear cameras theoretically capable of shooting 8K video for the first time.

Several rival smartphones currently offer 8K video recording capabilities, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro (via AI upscaling). Even though 8K video recording isn't widely used by content creators right now, there are still use cases for it. For example, shooting 8K would allow videographers to record using the Ultra Wide camera and then crop in 50% and still achieve 4K resolution.

Notably, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in February reported that Apple plans to emphasize the iPhone 17 Pro's improved video recording capabilities when it unveils the device later this year, although he did not reveal any specific new features that may be coming.

This is what he said:

In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera's photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025's iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.

It's quite possible that 8K video recording will be one of the capabilities that Apple will tout when the new lineup launches. Video recording capabilities already added to iPhones over the years include an Action mode for stabilization, Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field, and 120 fps 4K Dolby Vision video recording.

Multiple sources have claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a redesigned rear camera system. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to adopt a horizontal camera bar reminiscent of Google's Pixel series, and this bar is expected to span the width of the device's back, housing the triangular triple-camera setup on the left, and the flash, microphone, and LiDAR sensor on the right.

It is not clear why Apple would use this design, nor what the extra space would be used for, but it has shown up several times now. All four iPhone 17 models are also expected to feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro Supports 8K Video Recording, Suggests Leaker [Updated]

 

[Stuwil]

If Apple put 8k recording into the iPhone 17 Pro then I can’t see them putting 12gb ram into the 17 pro models
Especially if they are also potentially upgrading the other camera lens to a 48mp

 

[Gengar]

Good news for video enthusiasts!

 

[sniffies]

I think this feature will be exclusive to iPhone 17 Ultra

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I think this feature will be exclusive to iPhone 17 Ultra

I don't think there will be an Ultra.

 

[sniffies]

I don't think there will be an Ultra.

I think there will be. Ultra name will likely replace Pro Max name.

 

[unchecked]

The key difference with cameras is they have removable batteries and memory cards that users can easily swap out when the battery’s gone or memory’s full. They also have the 3.5mm and micro/mini HDMI ports. And then there’s the heat problem.

That’s going to run counter to Apple’s possible end game of going portless.

 

[EugW]

The incremental improvements in iPhone cameras continue.

I am very much looking forward to the very significant camera upgrade I will get with the 17 Pro Max/Ultra this fall, as compared to my 5 year-old 12 Pro Max.

I will continue to record video in 4K though.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I think there will be. Ultra name will likely replace Pro Max name.

Wouldn't that be Apple copying Samsung then?

 

[AbSoluTc]

Sigh. Another FOMO release. Just enough change so someone that suffers, will have to get it. In reality, none of this is groundbreaking or needed

 

[Mr_Ed]

Aside from whatever storage size requirements 8K video may impose, I just hope the glass elements in the lenses are up to the task.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Also iPhone 17 Pro in fineprint:

8K video recording requires 512GB model

With iPhone 17 Pro 128gb as base model

 

[P_Watt]

The more pixels, the more money for iCloud storage.

 

[bax2023]

A bit off-topic: I certainly hope that back of the iPhone 17 Pro lineup wont look like this....my eyes hurt everytime I see it.

 

[pbau]

Worthless upgrade then.

 

[Rank Sarpac]

ProRes RAW video would make the filmmaking community much more excited than compressed 8K phone footage.

 

[clg82]

Sigh. Another FOMO release. Just enough change so someone that suffers, will have to get it. In reality, none of this is groundbreaking or needed

I agree, the camera on the iPhone 16 Pro is already sufficient for what most buyers use it for. I miss the days of Apple ACTUALLY innovating. It's become more of the same year after year. Put the money you're using in the miniscule upgrades of the pro series every year into some real innovation in AI and show us something the world can't live without. It's a money grab at this point. Apple needs new leadership. Their lost.

 

[MRSugarD]

If the three camera lenses are capable of 8k video recording, doesn't necessarily mean Apple will introduce this feature. 4k120 was only introduced last September and maybe will stay the maximum this year, too. Just even more refined. I assume the jump to 8k will come next year. Highlight of this year will be the third 48MP zoom camera, the new Air model and the redesigned camera bump. And of course more useless Apple Intelligence gimmicks.

 

[EugW]

Also iPhone 17 Pro in fineprint:

8K video recording requires 512GB model

With iPhone 17 Pro 128gb as base model

The 16 Pro Max already starts at 256 GB base, and I suspect that would be the minimum requirement for hypothetical 8K recording. I would not be surprised if the Pro moves to 256 GB base too in 2025.

 

[hovscorpion12]

If Apple is going to go 8K, they have to go the full mile. No Mickey Mouse job.

8K/60fps, Dolby Vision ProRes with LOG support. That will 100% require 12GB+ of RAM, serious battery life, Insane SoC and 2TB/4TB storage option.

 

[alphaswift]

I guess the 17 Pro will come with a 2TB storage option. 8K video would eat up the storage on my 512 GB phone pretty darn fast.

 

[EugW]

I guess the 17 Pro will come with a 2TB storage option. 8K video would eat up the storage on my 512 GB phone pretty darn fast.

You can also record iPhone video to external USB storage.

 

[Sophytaylor6@]

I wish they could add features other than this video recording feature. Their video recording works well with the other models, too. So I hope that with the new series we will get a new design too.

 

[t0rqx]

8K 15FPS - 17 Pro
8K - 30FPS - 18 Pro
8K - 60FPS - 20

 

[rikki_t]

Quality not size, needs to RAW full 32bit float or it's just a gimmick, also yes you can stream out to external storage but you only have the one usb port, how you gonna keep it juiced at the same time