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Tipster: iPhone 17 Pro to Feature 8x Zoom, Pro Camera App, and More

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Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models will have several new camera-related features, according to an anonymous tipster who contacted MacRumors today.

iPhone-17-Pro-on-Desk-Centered-1.jpg

The tipster claimed to be familiar with an iPhone 17 Pro commercial that is allegedly being produced by a film company that has publicly listed Apple as one of its clients. MacRumors has not independently confirmed any of the information shared by the tipster, so skepticism is obviously warranted for now.

The tipster revealed three alleged iPhone 17 Pro features that have not been rumored previously:
  • An upgraded Telephoto lens with up to 8× optical zoom, compared to up to 5× optical zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro models. The lens can apparently move, allowing for continuous optical zoom at various focal lengths.
  • An all-new pro camera app from Apple for both photos and videos. This app would compete with the likes of Halide, Kino, and Filmic Pro. It is unclear if the app would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro models.
  • An additional Camera Control button on the top edge of the devices, for quickly accessing the camera and related settings. This would complement the Camera Control button on the bottom-right edge of all iPhone 16 models.
For the pro camera app, the tipster warned there is a chance Apple is planning a major update to its existing Final Cut Camera app instead of an all-new app.

The tipster also said that rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro having a new copper-like color option and a centered Apple logo are apparently true.

iPhone 17 Pro models are widely expected to feature a redesigned rear camera system, so it would be a fitting year for Apple to have some big camera-related upgrades planned. The devices are expected to have three 48-megapixel rear cameras.

In February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was planning to emphasize the iPhone 17 Pro's improved video recording capabilities.

Here is what he said about that:
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.
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In addition, Front Page Tech's Jon Prosser said the Camera app on the iPhone 17 Pro models will let users record video with the front and rear cameras simultaneously.

As we mentioned above, these rumors should be treated with skepticism for now, since they were shared by an anonymous tipster with no proven track record. If other sources confirm or deny these rumors, we will be sure to update this article accordingly.

Update — 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time: MacRumors has voluntarily removed the name of the film company from this article, after receiving a follow-up request from the anonymous tipster. The tipster had not requested that the company's name remain confidential at the time the information was provided.

Article Link: Tipster: iPhone 17 Pro to Feature 8x Zoom, Pro Camera App, and More
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/27/iphone-17-pro-camera-rumors/
Last edited:
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MacRumors said:
MacRumors has not independently confirmed any of the information shared by the tipster, so skepticism is obviously warranted for now.
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This is the most important quote from this article.

JohnRckr said:
No way Apple would introduce so many improvements in a single generation. They always release the necessary minimum to drive sales with zero innovation.

We are getting repositioned Apple logo, that’s it.
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Although it is always healthy to be skeptical, this is extremely unlikely.
 
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EugW said:
The other rumour is that it would be 3.5X at 48 MP and 7X at 12 MP utilizing the same sensor but with a centre crop.
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Makes more sense really

Unless this report is just them saying lossless 8x zoom like some like to use
 
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Everything sounded plausible until the part about the extra additional button. It does seem like Apple will be focusing on camera tech this year which makes sense for their pro line.

Although as a 16PM owner, I’ll be skipping this year to see what Apple does with their first foldable next year. Hopefully the majority of these camera upgrades can make the jump to the fold.
 
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EugW said:
The other rumour is that it would be 3.5X at 48 MP and 7X at 12 MP utilizing the same sensor but with a centre crop. If one to believe this new unsubstantiated and suspect rumour, by extrapolation it would be 4X at 48 MP and 8X at 12 MP.
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This makes sense to me, I use the 2x "zoom" on my 15 Pro all the time.
 
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The Game 161 said:
Makes more sense really

Unless this report is just them saying lossless 8x zoom like some like to use
Click to expand...
From a portrait mode perspective, 3.5X / 7X may make more sense to more people than 4X / 8X, but then again it's close enough that it probably wouldn't alienate anyone.

CouldBeWorse said:
This makes sense to me, I use the 2x "zoom" on my 15 Pro all the time.
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Yes, my daughter has the iPhone 16e with only the one 1X lens, but the cropped 2X zoom works very well too. (I bought the 16e over the 15 non-Pro because the 16e is cheaper and has a bunch of other features like much better battery life, 8 GB RAM, and AI support with Photos Clean Up. The Apple refurb 15 Pro was not available at the time.)
 
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  • An additional Camera Control button on the top edge of the devices, for quickly accessing the camera and related settings. This would complement the Camera Control button on the bottom-right edge of all iPhone 16 models.

Omg, I screamed. As if the previous one was useful... at least reposition it.
 
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BelgianChoklit said:
Apple has started adding useless buttons starting with the action button on the 15 Pro, only because there's nearly nothing else new newer iPhones offer.
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It’s very useful for flashlight. Sounds stupid, but try it.

As I’ve said before I’m fairly confident the 17 Pro is getting 2TB, video camera improvements make sense as an additional differentiator.

Zoom is probably a crop but we’ll see.
 
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Maybe management yelled at the plagiarism team for not stealing enough from Sony?

An extra button actually sounds plausible. The existing button might be reserved for zoom with a proper 2-stage for shutter control.

Sony have had a prismatic telephoto lens for the last 3 years now. Apple implementing it would be an easy step and overcome the fact that 8x is actually to far for a phone zoom. 5x is just right.

A Pro app with manual focus is long overdue given my old £129 Lumia had it in 2013. Apple putting a camera in it's phones you can make movies with and not giving the end user any controls over it is largely typical of Apple.
 
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