The iPhone 16 series is almost around the corner, with the launch most likely due in September. And while we are waiting for that, we are also hearing a few things about the next generation.
More specifically, the cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro Max will get some significant upgrades. A renowned Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, recently shared a Medium post discussing the cameras of recent and upcoming iPhones.
In the post, he mentioned that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will come with a new 48-megapixel Tetraprism camera, with a sensor size of 1/2.6 inches. This would be an upgrade from the 12-megapixel 1/3.1-inch sensor, which we will supposedly see on this year’s iPhone 16 series Pro models.
For some context, Tetraprism is just another name Apple has given to its 5x zoom lens. This lens made its debut on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It is also currently exclusively available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro model only has a 12MP 3x telephoto lens.
However, that is likely going to change this year. Reports state that both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get the Tetraprism camera.
Returning to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the new 1/2.6-inch higher-resolution sensor will improve the zooming capabilities. Pictures captured at higher zoom ranges will offer better details. The sensor will also be optimized for use with the Apple Vision Pro.
Ming-Chi Kuo has also stated that he is unsure whether the iPhone 17 Pro will get the upgrade. If, for some reason, it does not, we will likely see it on the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026.
This upgrade would also mean that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have all three cameras with the same resolution — 48MP. This is because the Pro models of the iPhone 16 series may also have a 48MP ultrawide camera.
To summarise things, we will have a 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto camera on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The highest-end iPhone right now will get you a 48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto camera. It will be interesting to see how Apple utilizes this potential to compete against its rivals in the future.
