2025 was a solid year for iPhone photography. Selfie cams were upgraded across the range. The standard iPhone gained a fancy new ultra-wide that’s ideal for detailed macro shots. And Apple ramped up the optical zoom on the Pro models to “8x”.
But it wasn’t all good news. The Camera app redesign was awkward. The Photos app remains a mess. And the iPhone Air was lumbered with a single camera. I’m hoping 2026 will be all hits and no misses, and here’s how I think Apple can get there.
A telephoto zoom on the iPhone 18
I’ll skip past “more megapixels” in this wish list, because that’s too obvious. Although a telephoto zoom on the next standard iPhone arguably is too. Still, I really want one. I miss it when I’m not carrying a Pro, and some Android phones offer telephoto at this level. But how would Apple then differentiate the Pro? Easy: give that an even better telephoto lens!
Variable apertures on the Pro
Physically adjustable apertures would be a big leap forward, especially in challenging lighting conditions. This would nudge the iPhone Pro even closer to DSLR territory, giving you more control and creative choice by relying more heavily on optics rather than computational processing trickery.
Prize reality over AI
Apple’s in a good place with AI regarding photography. (Less so elsewhere, with the delays to key Apple Intelligence features, but anyway…) That must continue. No overblown AI gimmicks and ‘enhancements’. If anything, Apple should lean harder into authenticity, defaulting to natural shots that preserve mood and atmosphere and that value the beauty of reality.
Manual tools in Camera app
Apple would point you to the App Store when you feel the need to venture beyond tools within the stock Camera app. But there comes a point when it feels too simplified, and that point is now. I’d at least like to see manual focus paired with focus peaking. And Apple’s obsession with hiding tools means this wouldn’t clutter the interface for casual users.
Do something with Photomator and Pixelmator
Apple bought Photomator and Pixelmator in late 2024. Since then, things have gone quiet. I’d like to see evidence these apps are in active development. If not, Apple should thoughtfully integrate their best ideas into the Photos app. I’d prefer the former. Apple updating serious mobile photography apps it owns beats stuffing am already busy Edit panel in Photos.
Better management tools for collections
If your photo library is like mine, it contains many thousands of shots. Pruning it feels daunting. Apple tries to surface highlights, but I want better ways to decide what to keep. Give me tools to blaze through a collection, flagging photos to retain, archive, or export to a local drive. Show me everything shot on this day across the years. Help me revisit what I – not an algorithm – consider my best work, rather than losing top shots in the noise.
Related reading
- Why I think iPhone is a game changer for photography (and always has been)
- The 10 most significant iPhones ever released and how they changed photography
- I compared photos taken on my iPhone with my £4000 mirrorless camera, and was shocked
The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Amateur Photographer magazine or Kelsey Media Limited. If you have an opinion you’d like to share on this topic, or any other photography related subject, email: [email protected].
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