iPhone 17 Pro - conflicting technical specs

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iPhone 17 Pro - conflicting technical specs

Good day!

On the official Apple web page iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - Apple it states the zoom factor and the image resolution, but several times and the data is conflicting.

I quote: "With an equivalent 200 mm focal length, the 8x optical-quality zoom makes this the longest iPhone Telephoto ever — offering 16x total optical zoom range."

What is it now, 8x or 16x? Optical zoom is by lens only, and since you cannot add up or multiply zooms of two cameras (main camera has 2x, telecamera has 8x), it's most likely the 8x. But what did they want to tell us by "16x total"?

iPhone 17 Pro

Posted on Oct 10, 2025 1:25 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff Donald

Community+ 2026

Level 8

48,212 points

Oct 10, 2025 4:33 AM in response to infiniter

It’s standard in the camera industry to use the X factor (zoom range) to go from widest lens (.5X 13mm equivalent) to the longest range (8X 200mm equivalent). That range is 16X.

Nikon, Canon, Sony etc. all use the same methodology. It’s only deceiving if you don’t understand it, research it or workout the math.

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Answer 2

infiniter Author

Level 1

56 points

Oct 10, 2025 10:46 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Where do they do that? I have a Nikon DSLR with a few different lenses. Neither on the lenses nor on their packaging there is a zoom factor. They only state focal depth (from-to) and aperture. Even if there would be a zoo, factor, it's considered the factor the lens has. One lens, one factor.

With the iPhone, when zooming in or out, the lens switches automaticatically. With one having allegedly 8x zoom or 200 mm and the other having 0.5x zoom or 13 mm, I can zoom - sort of - from -13 mm to +200 mm. That makes it 213 mm variable focal depth or 8.5x zoom range. So with two lenses in operation I can ADD the zoom factors, but not multiply them. So the 16x is pure BS.

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Answer 3

Oct 10, 2025 1:39 AM in response to infiniter

According to Apple:

8x optical‑quality zoom in
2x optical zoom out
16x optical‑quality zoom range

8x2=16

There you go! 👋🏼😉

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Answer 4

Oct 10, 2025 11:32 AM in response to infiniter

Last time I looked .5X to 8X is 16X. If you’re having issues with how all cellphones zoom using 3 lenses I don’t know what to tell you. It is a continuous zoom, just like the super zoom cameras, when you operate your iPhone using the zoom ring.

The 3 lenses zoom as a system, just like a super zoom camera. Sorry your Nikon requires you to interchange lenses.

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Answer 5

Oct 10, 2025 10:57 AM in response to infiniter

Look at the manufacturers all-in-one super zoom cameras, like the Nikon Coolpix P1100. It zooms from 24mm to 3000mm (35mm equivalent) and Nikon describes it as having a 125X optical zoom.

“Shoot at staggering distances with the 125x optical zoom COOLPIX P1100 Digital Camera from Nikon. This camera has a 16MP backside illuminated CMOS sensor and features a built-in NIKKOR lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 24-3000mm. You can zoom even further with 250x Dynamic Fine digital zoom, which gives you an equivalent focal length of 6000mm.”

It would seem Nikon has no issue with their marketing. Canon, Sony et al do it as well.

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