According to noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max launching next year will feature a significant camera upgrade with three 48-megapixel rear cameras. In his latest investor note published on Medium, Kuo outlined the key enhancements expected in the upcoming flagship device, particularly focusing on the advanced tetraprism camera technology.

Kuo revealed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a 48-megapixel tetraprism camera, designed to deliver great photo quality and advanced zoom capabilities. This new camera system will reportedly use a 1/2.6-inch 48-megapixel CIS sensor, which is much better than the 1/3.1-inch 12-megapixel sensor speculated for the iPhone 16 Pro models launching this year.

Apart from the iPhone 17 Pro Max, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to feature tetraprism telephoto lenses. This technology, which was previously exclusive to the larger Pro Max model, will reportedly be available in both Pro variants. The iPhone 16 Pro models are speculated to offer at least 5x optical zoom and up to 25x digital zoom.

Kuo also mentioned the possibility that the upgraded tetraprism camera could initially be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If this exclusivity remains, the advanced camera technology will likely be included in both iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026. The development of the upgraded tetraprism camera involves designing new prisms with a smaller form factor, reducing the height of the camera module. This report matches previous claims made by Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities.

Recently, Pu has reported that the iPhone 16 Pro models will also feature a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens. This upgrade will make the iPhone 17 Pro Max the first iPhone to feature a completely 48-megapixel rear camera system, including a main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens. In comparison, the current iPhone 15 Pro models have a mix of a 48-megapixel main, 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and 12-megapixel telephoto lens.

The iPhone 16 series is expected to launch in September this year. Apple has a track record of launching new iPhones in September and the same is expected with the 2024 devices.