The iPhone 17 Pro Max is shaping up to be a major leap forward in smartphone photography, with rumors suggesting it will debut the most advanced telephoto camera ever seen on a phone. 
While the iPhone 16 Pro Max is set to launch with a 12MP periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, the 2025 flagship may go much further, boasting a 48MP Tetraprism telephoto system with enhanced zoom capabilities.
According to leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s telephoto module will outperform every competitor, thanks to a design featuring moving lens elements that allow multiple focal lengths
. This could enable users to seamlessly switch between 5x and 8x optical zoom, a first for Apple’s lineup and a rarity in the industry.
The innovation might explain the rumored increase in the phone’s camera island size, as a moving telephoto lens requires more space than traditional fixed focal length designs. In contrast, most high-end rivals, including the iPhone 16 Pro and other flagship camera phones, stick to fixed telephoto lenses.
It’s unclear whether the smaller iPhone 17 Pro will receive the same upgrade, as some reports suggest Apple may reserve the top-tier telephoto for the Pro Max model. Previous leaks hint that the Pro could still see improvements, such as hybrid glass-plastic lenses and a larger 1/2.6-inch sensor, up from the 1/3.1-inch found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
With Samsung scaling back to a 5x telephoto on the Galaxy S25 Ultra after dropping its 10x option, Apple may seize the opportunity to dominate long-range photography. Whether this will be enough to lure Samsung loyalists is uncertain, especially as Apple’s next-gen devices are expected to carry a higher price tag. However, combined with a refreshed design and faster processor, the upgraded camera could make the iPhone 17 Pro Max a standout in the premium phone market.