iPhone 17 Pro Leak Reveals 8x Zoom and Pro Camera App

Apple is just weeks away from unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup, and new camera rumors are giving people even more reasons to look forward to the Pro models, especially if you’re into photography or content creation.

According to an anonymous tipster who contacted MacRumors, Apple may be planning a major camera upgrade for the iPhone 17 Pro models, including a more powerful zoom lens, a pro-level camera app, and even a new camera control button (which is separate from the existing button on the iPhone 16 Pro).

While the details remain unverified and come from a source without a known track record, they offer a peek into what could be one of the most photography-focused iPhone updates in years.

iPhone 17 Pro Could Jump to 8x Optical Zoom

One of the most surprising claims is that the iPhone 17 Pro may feature up to 8x optical zoom, a significant leap from the 5x zoom found on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The tipster says this would be made possible by a new moving lens element, allowing for continuous zoom across different focal lengths.

If true, this would mark Apple’s first implementation of variable optical zoom in an iPhone, getting closer to what standalone cameras offer. It also suggests Apple is investing more into making the iPhone a serious tool for long-range photography, not just casual photography.

That said, it’s important to note that this kind of hardware upgrade would be difficult to hide so close to launch. As 9to5Mac points out, physical component leaks usually surface much earlier. Some observers remain skeptical that such a dramatic lens redesign could have stayed under wraps.

A New Pro Camera App May Be on the Way

In addition to hardware, Apple might be working on a new pro-level camera app designed for advanced photo and video control. According to the tipster, this app would provide functionality similar to popular third-party tools like Halide, Filmic Pro, or Kino.

It’s unclear whether this would be a completely new app or a major revamp of Apple’s existing Final Cut Camera app. Either way, the idea makes sense. Recent changes in iOS 26 simplify the default camera app, making it more user-friendly for casual users. A dedicated Pro app could give Apple the freedom to cater to both ends of the user spectrum without compromise.

Jon Prosser previously claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro would support simultaneous front and rear video recording, a feature that could fit naturally into a pro-focused camera experience.

Another Camera Control Button Might Be Added

The iPhone 16 Pro models introduced a new Camera Control button on the lower right edge of the phone. But this year, Apple might go a step further. The leak suggests a second camera control button could appear along the top edge of the iPhone 17 Pro. This new button would reportedly make it even easier to access camera functions quickly.

Adding a second dedicated button for photography would be unusual for Apple, which typically prefers minimal hardware design. And as MacRumors noted, there are doubts about whether there’s enough internal space to accommodate a new button without compromising other components.

How Credible Are These Leaks?

This leak came from someone who claimed to be familiar with a commercial for the iPhone 17 Pro being made by a film studio that Apple has worked with before. MacRumors published the tip but made it clear they couldn’t verify the info. Later, they even removed the name of the production company from the article after the tipster asked.

That said, the leak does align with earlier reports from Mark Gurman, who said Apple plans to heavily promote the iPhone 17 Pro’s video recording capabilities to attract vloggers and video creators.

Other recent leaks have suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro could include a redesigned rear camera system with three 48-megapixel lenses and support for 8K video recording. A new copper-like color and recentered Apple logo have also been rumored.

For now, the details remain in the realm of speculation. If even some of these camera upgrades make it to the final product, the iPhone 17 Pro could shape up to be Apple’s most creator-focused smartphone yet.