Apple iPhone 17 Camera Upgrades Expected, Periscope Lens Exclusive to Pro Models
Rumors suggest iPhone 17 Pro models will feature exclusive 5x periscope cameras, with significant investments from LG Innotek.
Speculations about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 lineup are surfacing despite its launch being a year away. Reports indicate that Apple plans to reserve advanced camera features for its Pro models in the 2024 lineup, continuing its strategy of differentiating Pro variants with exclusive features.
A key highlight of the iPhone 17 series will be the 5x periscope telephoto lens, which will only be available on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This lens, first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro Max and later adopted in the iPhone 16 Pro, uses tetraprism technology for enhanced 5x optical zoom capabilities. However, the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Slim (reportedly also called iPhone 17 Air) are expected to miss out on this feature.
Korean publication DigiTimes reports that LG Innotek, a major supplier for Apple, is investing KRW 375.9 billion (approximately Rs. 2 crore) in new production facilities for camera modules, potentially aimed at meeting the demands of next year’s iPhone 17 Pro series. These facilities will likely focus on manufacturing components for the sophisticated periscope lens system.
The non-Pro iPhone 17 models are expected to feature more modest upgrades, such as a 24-megapixel front-facing camera and a single 48-megapixel rear camera for the rumored iPhone 17 Air. Processing power will also differ between variants, with the Pro models likely to include Apple’s A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, while the standard models might run on an A18 or A19 chip with 8GB of RAM.
Looking ahead, leaks suggest Apple is exploring under-display Face ID technology for its 2025 iPhone lineup. This aligns with its strategy of gradually introducing cutting-edge features in Pro models before integrating them into the standard lineup in later years.
Apple’s commitment to providing premium features in Pro variants ensures that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will stand out, continuing the tradition of offering distinct value to high-end customers.