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iPhone 17 Pro Supports 8K Video Recording, Suggests Leaker [Updated]
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For sure it will have only 8K30P recording so that they can sell the next iPhone with 8K60P too.
This gains them a few things:
1) iPhone cameras no longer look behind to customers (not really FOMO)
2) 8K recording now for when TVs go 8K for the masses
3) Much better zooming capabilities for video. This is the biggest improvement. We’ve all zoomed enough to be disappointed in the quality breaking down before you can see what you’re trying to see.
It’s unfortunate that unlocking the full potential of iPhone cameras requires third-party apps. While 8K video is impressive, it’s not very practical if I don’t have an 8K TV to watch it on. I’d rather have an anti-reflective screen like Samsung’s than 8K recording.
I'm no videographer, but I've read that you can shoot in 8K and then crop in 50% and still have 4K. So it's useful for "zooming in" post shoot and still retaining 4K quality.
I'm not against pushing camera system forward. It's good to make Pro phone for professional users.
Just don't lock some essential features behind the Pro name.
Just don't lock some essential features behind the Pro name.
I hope all iPhone 17 models support 8K. 🥹 If they do, then the iPhone 17 and 17 Air should start at 256GB, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max should start at 512GB and go up to 2TB.
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:
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
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A key video recording upgrade would be the removal of image ghosting that plagues any video with a bright light source. I think there was a previous rumour that there would be a new ALD coating added to the camera lenses of an upcoming iPhone generation. Hopefully it's this one.
Samsungs have had 8k for years if I recall correctly.
Yeah with worse quality than Apple's 4k.
It'd be Apple copying Apple. They already use Ultra for their Mac chips.
We're talking phones, not computers. The Apple Mac Ultra models have upgraded CPU's that are basically double the Pro/Max chips. You saying that an Apple iPhone Ultra would have a CPU twice as powerful as the Pro to earn the "Ultra" moniker? Yeah...didn't think so. It would just be used for their flagship model, JUST LIKE SAMSUNG ALREADY DOES.
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Well, that's Apple isn't it? Don't be first, but wait until a new technology progresses and gets better, then finally release it years later and claim it's something special? (their Apple Silicon being the exception).
Could also be used to improve Action Mode to be 4K - probably of more use to the average consumer than 8K.
With 8K video, Apple needs to do some thing about their iPhone storage upgrades.
$200 to upgrade from 256gb to 512gb, is day light robbery in this day and age where 1tb 7000MB/s ssds are $80.
Either lower the price from $200 to $100 for the 512gb upgrade.
or make it so 256gb -> 1TB is $200 with no in between. If Apple really is keen on keeping a $200 price point between upgrades.
I refuse to pay $200 to only get 256gb more for my iPhone. I’ll just keep moving photos off my phone and deleting music
$200 to upgrade from 256gb to 512gb, is day light robbery in this day and age where 1tb 7000MB/s ssds are $80.
Either lower the price from $200 to $100 for the 512gb upgrade.
or make it so 256gb -> 1TB is $200 with no in between. If Apple really is keen on keeping a $200 price point between upgrades.
I refuse to pay $200 to only get 256gb more for my iPhone. I’ll just keep moving photos off my phone and deleting music
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Kinda useful for some content creator.
I also guess it will make some random people say "8 is more than 4, I need that", but still.
It doesn't matter if we're talking about phones or computers. Apple already uses the name, so it makes sense they'd combine all devices into the same naming scheme.
I was just about to comment this. I really hope that's not the design direction they are going in. Gross!
So you want more capabilities than the latest Sony A1, which costs $6500...
How much would you like this to cost?
On a serious note - I'm curious how much difference 8K is going to make without requiring much larger glass. I mean, I think it is impressive that we can shrink pixels and sensors...but at some point, it is about physics and light. And once Apple's processing starts to play with the footage...most will be better off with 4K?
I'm also curious whether people will be able to tell the difference between 8K footage shot on an iPhone versus 4K converted to 8K with an app like Topaz Video AI.
Again, I love the enthusiasm...but these are phones.
I find that sometimes when Apple increases the maximum resolution, it means that the resolution below that has also improved.
For example, back in the day when 1080p was the max output, it was just OK. When Apple moved to 4K30 max, their 1080p output from the same phone was noticeably better. If we are soon at a point where Apple is willing to release an iPhone that can output 8K30, I suspect their 4K output will have also improved. This bodes well for those of us who continue to record in 4K.