The iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is expected to be released next year, will feature an upgraded Tetraprism 48-megapixel camera, offering improved photo quality and zoom functionality, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In his latest investment note published on Medium, Kuo mentioned that the main change in the specs will be a CIS 1/2.6″ 48MP sensor, instead of the 1/3.1″ 12MP sensor expected to be used in the iPhone 16 Pro models. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to adopt Tetraprism telephoto lenses in 2024, with the technology not confined only to the larger Pro Max, as is the case in the iPhone 15 series. This means that both iPhone 16 Pro models will have at least a 5x optical zoom and at least a 25x digital zoom.
Kuo is not sure if only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the upgraded Tetraprism camera. However, if it is an exclusive feature for this model, then both iPhone 18 Pro models will acquire it in 2026. The upgraded Tetraprism camera requires newly-designed prisms, which need to have a smaller form factor to reduce the height of the camera, Kuo added. The analyst’s report confirms a claim made last year by Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities. Pu stated in December that the upgraded 48MP telephoto of the iPhone 17 Pro Max would be optimized for use with Apple Vision Pro. The current iPhone 15 Pro models can record three-dimensional video for playback on the Vision Pro – when held horizontally, the main and ultrawide lens combine to record 3D video with additional depth.
Pu had also mentioned that both iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a 48MP ultra-wide lens, making the iPhone 17 Pro Max the first iPhone model featuring a back camera system entirely made up of 48 megapixel lenses. For comparison, the current iPhone 15 Pro models feature 48MP main lenses, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP telephoto lenses.
