Image: Austin Mann
Travel photographer Austin Mann has taken his annual iPhone camera review to the Dolomites in northern Italy, cycling more than 150 miles (241 km) and climbing nearly 20,000 feet to test Apple’s latest iPhone 17 Pro. His verdict: the new 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens is the biggest leap forward for photographers this year.
Mann said the 4x (100mm) lens feels far more natural than the 5x zoom from the previous iPhone 16 Pro, calling it a “classic portrait and landscape focal length.” Combined with the jump to 48MP resolution, he found it capable of capturing sharp details in foggy mountain landscapes and portraits alike. He also praised the new 8x telephoto option for bringing distant peaks and valleys into reach, though this one still outputs at 12MP.
Another standout is the new “Bright” Photographic Style, which Mann said works especially well for portraits by lifting shadows on faces without blowing out skies. He noted that he used Bright not just for portraits but also for landscapes, and found it versatile compared to Apple’s other more stylized photo modes.
He also highlighted practical upgrades: a redesigned camera interface in iOS 26 that makes switching modes faster, a new Center Stage selfie mode that automatically adjusts to fit multiple people in frame, and even subtle additions like Lens Cleaning Hints, which remind users when dirt may be affecting image quality.
Mann experimented with 4K ProRes Log at 120 frames per second, calling frame grabs from video so sharp that “it looks like a photo.” He also stumbled across two small but useful features: using AirPods Pro as a remote shutter and the new crossbody strap that makes the iPhone feel closer to a traditional camera when carried over the shoulder. Looks like we have a real use case for that $79 CAD strap?
Despite his enthusiasm, Mann did share a few wishes. He said he would like to see 8x shots at 48MP, support for ProRes recording without an external SSD, and more discreet colour options for professionals—noting that the new Cosmic Orange iPhone might look great, but “as a photographer, black helps me stay inconspicuous.”
Mann concluded the iPhone 17 Pro’s 4x telephoto is a major improvement over last year, the 8x adds reach, and Apple’s Photographic Styles continue to reduce the need for extra camera gear. For serious photographers, he says the iPhone 17 Pro is the better choice over the Air or even the larger Pro Max, unless storage and battery life are top priorities.
Check out this nearly 21-minute video review below as well (we also learn Mann is an avid road cyclist as the climbing is no joke at the Dolomites):
Last year, Mann took the iPhone 16 Pro to Kenya, while the year before, he told iPhone in Canada he was taking a break from his annual review of pro iPhone cameras.
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