The upcoming iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are expected to lack the 5x optical zoom lens, which will remain exclusive to the Pro models. The iPhone 17 Air, rumored to be very thin, will feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera and a 6.6-inch display, but will not match the Pro models in camera capabilities or processing power. It may debut with an Apple-designed 5G modem, marking a shift from Qualcomm modems used in Pro models.
The upcoming Galaxy S24 Ultra is ditching the 10x optical zoom lens but is expected to deliver better zoom photos, according to a reliable leaker. This improvement is likely due to advancements in AI and computational photography, which are becoming increasingly important in enhancing smartphone camera capabilities. Samsung is teasing AI as a major feature for its next Unpacked event, hinting at significant camera improvements across the board. The Galaxy S24 series is set to launch on January 17, with pre-orders already open.