Apple elaborates on the rationale behind the 5x optical zoom limitation on the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Buzz

Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/1/2026

In an interview with Nicolas Lellouche of Numerama, Apple's Vice President of Camera Software Engineering, Jon McCormack explained why the quad-lens optical system of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is limited to 5x optical zoom, rather than 10x like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Apple states that the Telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max features the company's most advanced camera stabilization system, combining optical image stabilization and an automatic 3D sensor-shift module. According to McCormack, the 5x zoom lens of the iPhone can be stabilized 'extremely well' compared to the 10x lens.

Image source: Apple.com

McCormack mentioned in the interview: '5x zoom is something we can stabilize extremely well. If you look at 10x zoom, unless you have the steadiest hands in the world or a tripod, it's really hard to use.'

Maxime Veron, Apple's Senior Director of iPhone Product Marketing, who was also interviewed, added that the 5x lens of the Max has an aperture of f/2.8, allowing for 'excellent light management.' For comparison, the Ultra's 10x lens has an aperture of ƒ/4.9, resulting in poorer light capture.

The 5x optical zoom is exclusively available on the Pro Max, while the iPhone 15 Pro remains limited to 3x optical zoom. Rumors suggest that Apple plans to expand the quad-lens optical system for both iPhone 16 Pro models next year.

Check out: iPhone 15 Pro Max has been released, so is the iPhone 14 Pro Max still worth buying?

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