The iPhone 15 Pro Max's new camera is insane – here's why it's the one to beat

TechPhonesiPhonesThe iPhone 15 Pro Max’s new camera is insane – here’s why it’s the one to beatSay it with me: “tetra-prism optical telephoto” and “3D sensor shift module”. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera is killer.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Say it with me: “tetra-prism optical telephoto” and “3D sensor shift module”. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera is killer.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

(Image credit: Apple)

Applehasofficially revealed the iPhone 15 series. No surprises there, really, it was an inevitability thatI’ve been blogging about all day longduring the 12 September ‘Wonderlust’ event. What I didn’t think would be so inevitable, however, is that Apple would drop a camera-shaped bomb so significant that it’ll have its competitors wondering how to compete.

But that’s exactly what I believe the Cupertino company has gone and done with theiPhone15 Pro Max. The largest and priciest of all the iPhone 15 models is also the one (and only one) that introduces the most intelligently implemented optical zoom camera in a phone that I’ve ever seen. It’s genius for a number of reasons.

1. 5x in a small package

(Image credit: Apple event)

Apple event

(Image credit: Apple event)

Say it along with me: “tetra-prism optical telephoto” and “3D sensor shift module”. But wait, that’s not just marketing nonsense. So let me break it down. The first part relates to the 5x optical zoom lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Such a focal length, which equates to 120mm, typically would require physical distance to focus an image, which would result in a physically large unit too big to fit into a phone.

Here’s where the “tetra-prism” part comes into play: tetra, meaning four, means that Apple is bouncing the light four times in a more confined space, to provide the required full distance that a 120mm equivalent lens would otherwise need. The result? A smaller unit that can fit into a phone.

2. A super-wide aperture

(Image credit: Apple event)

Apple event

(Image credit: Apple event)

But more impressive than that is the aperture value it comes equipped with. It’s an f/2.8 lens, meaning a physically large opening that’s ideal for naturally pronouncing background blur, but also allowing more light in to permit faster shutter speeds that are ideal for capturing sharp images – especially in low-light conditions.

Consider this: theGoogle Pixel 7 Prohas a 5x zoom but f/3.5 aperture (so two-thirds of a stop slower), while theSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultraand its 10x zoom has an f/4.9 aperture (so one-and-two-thirds of a stop slower).

3. 3D sensor-shift stabilisation

(Image credit: Apple event)

Apple event

(Image credit: Apple event)

I’m already impressed, despite not having used the iPhone 15 Pro Max just yet. But I can’t wait to, as the second part of the equation is equally impressive: the 3D sensor shift module. In reality this is like an optical image stabilisation system on steroids, as the full plate on which the lens sits can move in multiple directions to counter all manner of movement and should be especially good for ultra-smooth video capture and ensuring the sharpest of stills.

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Apple says it’s the first ever of its kind. I suspect there are some caveats to that in the way its system is designed, as the gimbal-style system I’ve used in theVivo X70 Pro, for example, is mighty impressive. If Apple can bring that kind of ease-of-use to smoothness and stabilisation I’m certain people will notice it immediately. It’s a great touch.

4. Consistent iPhone 15 features

(Image credit: Apple event)

Apple event

(Image credit: Apple event)

So those are the three big ‘wows’ from the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera that I think will see it sit streets ahead of other optical zoom cameras inthe best phonesout there. There’s more than just that, though, as like the rest of the iPhone 15 range, the main camera system alsosounds like a bit of a photography beast. I’m not going to oversell the resolution factor, asthe best Android phoneshave gone well beyond 48-megapixel options before now, but there’s a lot of sense in Apple’s multi-pixel use for output.

5. The price is right

(Image credit: Apple event)

Apple event

(Image credit: Apple event)

I was fully expecting theiPhone 15 Pro Max to go off the charts when it came to pricing. There was rumour that the asking price might surprise you (for the wrong reasons rather than right ones!). As it turns out, however, there’s no year-on-year change to pricing. Given the current landscape, and the addition of bold new features such as this 5x zoom and a new Titanium material finish, that’s a fairly big statement in my view.

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 15 Plus, Apple iPhone 15 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 14, Apple iPhone 14 Plus, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max dealsPlansUnlockedApple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthViewatVerizonSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 15 Plus, Apple iPhone 15 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 14, Apple iPhone 14 Plus, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max deals

PlansUnlocked

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Apple iPhone 14 Pro36 monthsUnlimitedminsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddata$999.99upfront$90/mthViewatVerizonSee all prices

Apple iPhone 14 Pro - 128GB

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

36 months

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36 months

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Unlimiteddata

$999.99upfront$90/mthViewatVerizon

$999.99upfront$90/mth

$999.99upfront

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1. 5x in a small package#

2. A super-wide aperture#

3. 3D sensor-shift stabilisation#

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4. Consistent iPhone 15 features#

5. The price is right#

1. 5x in a small package

2. A super-wide aperture

3. 3D sensor-shift stabilisation

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

4. Consistent iPhone 15 features

5. The price is right