Apple’s latest iPhone models have stirred curiosity with their camera specifications. The iPhone Air features a single rear camera: a 48-megapixel sensor with a 26mm-equivalent f/1.6 lens. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max boast a similar main camera but with a 24mm-equivalent f/1.78 lens, alongside an ultrawide and a 4x telephoto lens. Apple claims that the iPhone Air’s single lens can function as four different focal lengths: 26mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 52mm. However, at the maximum zoom of 52mm, the resolution drops to 12MP. The 28mm and 35mm focal lengths are achieved through computational techniques, similar to those introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is marketed as having eight “pro lenses,” an increase from the previous model’s seven. This count includes the four focal lengths of the main camera, with the additional four attributed to the ultrawide and telephoto lenses. However, these claims rely heavily on computational photography rather than true optical zoom, leading to some skepticism about the terminology used by Apple. The company’s marketing strategy, which refers to these as “optical zoom options,” has been criticized for potentially misleading consumers. While the iPhone Air doesn’t literally have four lenses, Apple’s approach aims to enhance the perceived versatility of its camera system.
Why does Apple claim three lenses equal eight?
