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iPhone 17 Pro's Rumored 8x Zoom Could Explain Larger Camera Bump

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A few days ago, it was rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro models will offer up to 8× optical zoom, and this could explain why the devices are expected to have significantly larger rear camera bumps compared to previous models.

iPhone-17-Pro-Iridescent-Feature-2.jpg

Specifically, it was rumored that the Telephoto lens in the iPhone 17 Pro models will be able to move, allowing for multiple focal lengths. As a result, the tipster claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will let you switch between 5× and 8× optical zoom, without tricks like sensor cropping. A moving Telephoto lens would require more parts and internal space, which could explain why the camera bump is expected to increase in size this year.

On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens has a fixed focal length of 120mm, and it offers a single 5× optical zoom option. Apple says the devices also have a 2× optical zoom option, but that uses the main rear camera with sensor cropping, which in simple terms is a technique that effectively zooms in on the center of a larger photo.

Of the three rear camera lenses on the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens is the one that is furthest to the right, so the parts that would allow the lens to move on the iPhone 17 Pro models could be housed inside the middle of the camera bump, in the area between the lenses and the LED flash/rear microphone/LiDAR Scanner.

For now, this is only speculation about a rumor. We should find out what Apple has officially planned in just about six weeks from now.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro's Rumored 8x Zoom Could Explain Larger Camera Bump
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/29/iphone-17-pro-8x-zoom-theory/
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This has been obvious since this design was first revealed. The larger bump is to allow for a longer periscope lens which extends into the bump from the right most lens.

I expect the Air also get a periscope of some kind, again explaining the long camera bump.
 
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It’ll be interesting to see the tear downs. It would also make sense to make the telephoto significantly better as the base model will likely get promotion and AOD so the cameras are now the biggest difference between pro and non-pro.
 
The question has always been about the 17 Air. It doesn't have any telephoto, so why the bump? It feels like the plastic SIM slot spacer on U.S. model iPhones.
 
MacRumors said:


A few days ago, it was rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro models will offer up to 8× optical zoom, and this could explain why the devices are expected to have significantly larger rear camera bumps compared to previous models.

iPhone-17-Pro-Iridescent-Feature-2.jpg

Specifically, it was rumored that the Telephoto lens in the iPhone 17 Pro models will be able to move, allowing for multiple focal lengths. As a result, the tipster claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will let you switch between 5× and 8× optical zoom, without tricks like sensor cropping. A moving Telephoto lens would require more parts and internal space, which could explain why the camera bump is expected to increase in size this year.

On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens has a fixed focal length of 120mm, and it offers a single 5× optical zoom option. Apple says the device also has a 2× optical zoom option, but that uses the main rear camera with sensor cropping, which in simple terms is a technique that effectively zooms in on the center of a larger photo.

Of the three rear camera lenses on the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens is the one that is furthest to the right, so the parts that would allow the lens to move on the iPhone 17 Pro models could be housed inside the middle of the camera bump, in the area between the lenses and the LED flash/rear microphone/LiDAR Scanner.

For now, this is only speculation about a rumor. We should find out what Apple has officially planned in just about six weeks from now.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro's Rumored 8x Zoom Could Explain Larger Camera Bump
Click to expand...
One ugly phone. And with cheap aluminum. There goes that pro look out the window.
 
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iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 3x telephoto while the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max both have 5x telephoto, yet all three have the same camera bump, although iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly larger than the previous models due to having a 6.9" display while the other two have 6.7" display.

It's possible that the updated camera bump is because of switching to a periscope lens just like in Huawei P30 Pro and newer android phones.
 
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With that huge camera bump I’m wondering if this thing will still be able to charge on a car charging pad. It feels as though it won’t be able to make solid contact with flat Qi charger underneath. I hope I’m wrong.
 
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As others said, that makes sense and is the only way to justify the camera still having a bump and not being flush with the added band across the back.
 
Great if this turns out to be true. I would like the optical zoom to be at least 5x. Possible that this will happen as the new camera layout should allow for this.
 
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This is unfortunately the logical conclusion of camera-phone development. Physics dictates that there's only so much you can do in a small space, and the demand for increasing camera quality requires more internal space be dedicated to optics and sensors. As it is now, my 15 Pro doesn't sit quite right on my MagSafe stand at my desk because the ring of aluminum around the puck is wide enough to run into the camera bump. Hopefully the rumored move of the MagSafe components downward will fix this issue, though it's going to be strange when setting the phone on a MagSafe stand in landscape orientation...
 
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Timpetus said:
This is unfortunately the logical conclusion of camera-phone development. Physics dictates that there's only so much you can do in a small space, and the demand for increasing camera quality requires more internal space be dedicated to optics and sensors. As it is now, my 15 Pro doesn't sit quite right on my MagSafe stand at my desk because the ring of aluminum around the puck is wide enough to run into the camera bump. Hopefully the rumored move of the MagSafe components downward will fix this issue, though it's going to be strange when setting the phone on a MagSafe stand in landscape orientation...
Click to expand...
That would be my dream: a camera that is also an iPhone. They can make it thick and have amazing lenses...

I would buy it instantly...
 
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FSMBP said:
That would be my dream: a camera that is also an iPhone. They can make it thick and have amazing lenses...

I would buy it instantly...
Click to expand...
Exactly in Sony's wheelhouse. It would be on Android, and very expensive, but lots of people love cameras and this would be an excuse to always carry a "real" one. "It's my phone too."
 
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Are these articles written by AI? Or just someone without critical thinking skills?

I promise you the iPhone 16 telephoto lens does not have a 120mm focal length
 
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