The iPhone 17 Pro Max, which will launch next year, will include an improved 48MP Tetraprism camera with improved zoom capabilities, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. A 1/2.6′′ 48MP CIS sensor, up from the 1/3.1′′ 12MP sensor, will be the primary specification upgrade, according to Ming-Chi Kuo’s most recent note. This sensor is probably going to be utilized in the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro variants.
iPhone 17 Pro Max to feature three 48MP camera details
At present, Kuo expressed his uncertainty over whether the improved Tetraprism camera will be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, both iPhone 18 Pro models will receive it in 2026 if it is specific to the model. Kuo said that in order to lower the camera’s height, the updated Tetraprism camera needs specially constructed prisms with a reduced form factor.
According to Kuo’s report, the iPhones of 2027 will sport an optical zoom that is significantly better than the one seen in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. In theory, the modification would prevent it from being a Tetraprism lens since Apple would have to add more prisms to extend the light path.
This feature is exclusive to the Pro Max model, the top-of-the-line iPhone 15 series. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts an improved 5x telephoto lens, the iPhone 15 Pro still sports a 12MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom. There will be a minimum of 5x optical zoom and a minimum of 25x digital zoom available on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
If the iPhone 17 Slim becomes Apple’s most costly iPhone the next year, I’d anticipate it to replace it. Apple may debut new technologies with the iPhone Slim. Kuo’s report, however, omitted the iPhone 17 Slim’s name.
Zoom camera penetration, according to Kuo, will rise from 35–40% in the iPhone 15 series to 60–65% in the iPhone 16 series. Additionally, according to that projection, up to 65% of all iPhone 16 sales might come from the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
