The iPhone 17: Where’s My Periscope, Apple?
Gather ’round, tech enthusiasts and Apple acolytes—if you’ve just splurged on the iPhone 16, you might want to brace yourself for yet another dubious chapter in the saga of smartphone features. Yes, Apple has announced all four variants of the iPhone 16—yes, there’s even an iPhone 16 Plus, which sounds impressively like a typo.
But let’s get to the juicy bit—the only models that are sporting the much-coveted periscope telephoto cameras are the Pro versions. Now hold on, you’re probably wondering what’s next year’s innovation? Lifting your dreams like a good magician—nothing! That’s right, turn your expectations back around; according to South Korea’s The Elec, next year’s iPhone 17 lineup won’t have a periscope feature in the non-Pro models. Who knew that playing favorites was such a thing with cameras?
Look at that beauty—iPhone 16 Pro Max! (But don’t let it fool you, there’s a catch.)
And before you start dreaming about upgrading to the iPhone 17 Pro with its dazzling features, let me burst your bubble like a particularly ungrateful child at a birthday party: that fancy periscope camera is exclusive to the Pro variants. It’s like Apple is saying, “Oh, you thought you could take photos of your Saturday brunch with a five-time optical zoom? Think again, commoner!” In the battle of the cameras, the Pro models reign supreme, while the standard models are relegated to mere spectator status.
So, what can we expect from the iPhone 17 series? Apple plans to keep us entertained with four distinguished models: the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Air (or perhaps we should just call it the iPhone 17 Slim for the sake of keeping our hopes down), the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Sounds great, right? Except for the nagging fact that unless you shell out the big bucks for the Pro tier, you’ll be left pining after that periscope function like a love-struck teenager. What’s next? Giving the finger to those who don’t purchase a first-class ticket to the Apple circus? Quite possibly!
Now, all humor aside, the Pro models from the iPhone 16 do boast a solid 5x optical zoom achieved via their fancy periscope cameras. You’d think with all that investment, the non-Pro versions would at least get a taste, but alas, we’re advised to expect nothing less than “fine craftsmanship” tailored to the elite users. Talk about making the rest of us feel like we’re trying to take photos with a potato! The iPhone 17 non-Pro models will remain entrapped in the world of standard zoom—so don’t forget your crop tool if you’re dying to get that perfect shot!
So there you have it, Apple aficionados: The iPhone 17 is set to take us on a ride of non-disappointment where features are carefully rationed depending on your purchasing power. The Pro models will continue their ostentatious display, living the high life, while the rest of us ponder how a fruit became a status symbol. Ready your wallets, folks; only one way to get that coveted zoom! Don’t worry, I’m sure your brand loyalty will cushion the blow.
Source (in Korean)
In a much-anticipated event held in September, Apple unveiled its latest smartphone lineup, including the flagship iPhone 16, the larger iPhone 16 Plus, the high-end iPhone 16 Pro, and the deluxe iPhone 16 Pro Max. Notably, only the Pro versions in this lineup are equipped with advanced periscope telephoto cameras, a feature that has caught the attention of photography enthusiasts. However, if you were holding out hope that next year’s standard iPhone 17 models would also inherit this impressive zoom technology, those expectations have been dashed.
The news comes from South Korean tech outlet The Elec, which reports that Apple intends to keep the periscope telephoto camera exclusive to the Pro models in the upcoming iPhone 17 series. This decision persists despite LG Innotek’s significant investments into new manufacturing facilities aimed at crafting upgraded camera modules for the anticipated iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Anticipation is building for the iPhone 17 series, which is expected to bring four distinct models to the market: the standard iPhone 17, a sleeker variant dubbed either the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, the premium iPhone 17 Pro, and the high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max. The existing periscope technology featured in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max provides a remarkable 5x optical zoom. Therefore, consumers can likely expect next year’s Pro versions to maintain at least this optical zoom standard, while the standard iPhone 17 and its Air/Slim counterpart will unfortunately not benefit from this cutting-edge camera technology.
Source (in Korean)
How does the introduction of the iPhone 17 Air impact consumer choices within the iPhone 17 lineup?
**Interview: The iPhone 17 – A Discussion on Features and Expectations**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, tech enthusiasts! Today, we have an exciting guest, Alex, a tech journalist and Apple enthusiast who has been following the company’s every move. Alex, thank you for joining us!
**Alex:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here, especially with all the buzz around the iPhone 17.
**Interviewer:** So, let’s dive right in. The big news is that the periscope camera will only be available on the Pro models of the iPhone 17. What do you make of that?
**Alex:** Honestly, it’s classic Apple. They’ve always been about differentiation in their product lines. The periscope camera will give the Pro models a significant edge in photography capabilities, and it just reinforces the notion that if you want the latest and greatest features, you have to pay for them.
**Interviewer:** It feels a bit like a status symbol, doesn’t it? I mean, only the elite users get access to these advanced features.
**Alex:** Absolutely! It’s like they’re creating a VIP club with their Pro models. If you don’t want to feel like you’re taking photos with a potato—which might be what the non-Pro users face—you’ll have to open your wallet wide. It’s a clever marketing strategy, albeit one that leaves many consumers feeling a bit left out.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the iPhone 17 line-up includes four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. What are your thoughts on the introduction of the iPhone 17 Air?
**Alex:** It’s interesting, for sure! The “Air” branding suggests a sleeker, lighter model. But I worry it might turn out to be just a rebranded version of the standard model with minor tweaks. Plus, if the performance is significantly lower than the Pro models, some users might feel disappointed.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the Pro tier will dominate the conversation again. For an average consumer wanting a solid phone but not wanting to splurge, what do you recommend?
**Alex:** Well, if you’re looking for value, I’d say the standard iPhone 17 will likely still be a solid choice, even without the Pro features. But don’t forget that if you want enhanced camera capabilities, you’ll need to consider how much you’re willing to invest. Just remember: be prepared to utilize cropping and editing to get the best out of your shots!
**Interviewer:** On a final note, any words of wisdom for Apple fans who are just waiting to find out more about the iPhone 17?
**Alex:** Be realistic in your expectations! Apple’s marketing machine is brilliant at creating hype. But remember, sometimes the minor upgrades can be just that—minor. It’s important to focus on what you really need from your phone rather than getting caught up in the latest trends and features.
**Interviewer:** Great advice! Thank you so much for your insights, Alex. It seems the iPhone 17 will generate plenty of conversations around smartphones, status, and pricing!
**Alex:** Absolutely! It will be fascinating to see how this all unfolds as the release date approaches. Thanks for having me!