A new leak has revealed that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max could feature a powerful 8x optical zoom telephoto lens, making it the most advanced zoom camera ever on an iPhone. This major upgrade is said to include a moving lens system, which could dramatically improve image clarity and stability for distant subjects.
According to the leak, this camera enhancement might be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, meaning the smaller iPhone 17 Pro may not benefit from the same optical zoom capabilities. If true, Apple could be further differentiating its Pro Max model from the regular Pro, much like how the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduced the first 5x telephoto zoom while the iPhone 15 Pro remained at 3x zoom.
The 8x optical zoom feature would put Apple in direct competition with high-end Android devices like Galaxy S25 Ultra that already offer advanced zoom technology. With a moving lens system, users can expect better performance in low light, reduced motion blur, and improved detail when capturing faraway scenes.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in late September, but leaks like this suggest Apple is planning major upgrades beyond the usual processor and battery improvements. If the rumors hold true, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could become one of the most capable camera smartphones on the market.