The iPhone 17 Pro is set to come with an upgraded 48MP telephoto camera, though the optical zoom will see a reduction from 5x to 3.5x. While this might initially seem like a drawback, it is suggested that this change could enhance the photography experience.

Users will benefit from not having to step back as much when capturing photos, making it easier to frame shots effectively. The transition to a 48MP sensor is a significant upgrade compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s 12MP sensor.

However, the benefits of the camera may extend beyond just the increased megapixel count. According to tipster Majin Bu, there may be additional improvements in performance hidden within the new telephoto lens.

While the 5x optical zoom of the previous model could require users to maintain a distance from their subjects, the new 3.5x optical zoom facilitates taking closer shots. This is particularly advantageous for portrait photography, where focusing on the subject’s upper body is often desired.

Additionally, while the optical zoom is being adjusted, digital zoom functionality will still be available, albeit with variable quality. For those unfamiliar with camera zoom types, optical zoom involves the lens physically adjusting to magnify the image, whereas digital zoom simply crops an image to enlarge it, potentially leading to lower quality.

Beyond the camera enhancements, Apple is also making design changes to the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera module. Leaked renders indicate a shift from the traditional square design to a more elongated setup reminiscent of Google’s Pixel phones.

However, this new design raises questions due to an apparent gap between the lenses and the flash. The official launch of the iPhone 17 series, which includes various models such as the iPhone 17, Pro, Pro Max, and the new iPhone 17 Air, is anticipated later this year.