The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to feature a groundbreaking 48-megapixel telephoto lens, moving away from the current 12-megapixel lens with 5x optical zoom. This new configuration will provide 3.5x optical zoom but aims to enhance digital zoom capabilities through advanced software cropping techniques. Apple is expected to balance the reduced optical zoom with high-resolution sensors, making portrait photography easier. The launch is anticipated in September, alongside other upgrades like 8K video recording. As always, these claims should be verified upon Apple's official announcement.