Apple explains why the iPhone 15 Pro Max is limited to 5x optical zoom

In an interview with NomeramaNicolas LelouchJohn McCormack, Apple’s vice president of camera software engineering, explained why the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s quad-lens system is limited to 5x optical zoom, instead of 10x as in Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra. The interview is in French, so the quotes below are computer translated.

Apple says the Telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max features the company’s most advanced camera stabilization system yet, with a combination of optical image stabilization and a 3D autofocus sensor shift module. The iPhone’s 5x zoom lens can be stabilized “incredibly well” compared to a 10x lens, McCormack said.

“5x zoom is something we can nail down incredibly well,” McCormack said in the interview. “If you look at 10x zoom, unless you have the steadiest hands in the world or a tripod, it’s really difficult to use.”

Maxime Veron, Apple’s senior director of iPhone product marketing, who was also interviewed, added that the iPhone 15 Pro Max 5x lens opens at ƒ/2.8, allowing for “excellent light management.” In comparison, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s lens has an ƒ/4.9 aperture. The lower aperture allows more light to be captured by the camera sensor, which can be especially useful for night mode photos.

5x optical zoom is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with the iPhone 15 Pro remaining limited to 3x optical zoom. Apple has been rumored to be planning to expand the quad-lens system to the two iPhone 16 Pro models next year.

McCormack and Ferron discuss the latest camera innovations across all iPhone 15 models in more detail at Nomirama interview. The devices are launching on Friday.