Home
News
You are here

5 camera apps that force the iPhone 7 Plus into telephoto mode

By Preslav Kateliev

Updated: Jun 14, 2017, 9:12 AM

5 camera apps that force the iPhone 7 Plus into telephoto mode

The iPhone 7 Plus is Apple's first handset to feature a dual camera module on its back. A regular 12 MP, wide-angle camera was neighbored by another 12 MP snapper, but with a telephoto lens over it, which provides 2x optical zoom.

Real zoom on a smartphone? Sounds awesome, even if it's only a fixed 2x level. But the limitations don't end there. Since the telephoto lens doesn't have a very wide aperture, it's not the best in low-light conditions. So, to offset this, the iPhone 7 Plus may choose to still use its regular, wide-angle camera when you zoom 2x and above in less than perfectly-lit conditions.

But there are 3rd party camera apps out there that will force the iPhone to use the telephoto lens, no matter the conditions. Hey, if you have the hardware, you should be able to use it even if the software thinks that it may end up in a bad shot, right? Well, check out our favorite camera apps that let do that!

Apps that use iPhone's telephoto camera

$20 /mo

$25

$5 off (20%)

Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.

Buy at Visible

View Full Bio

Preslav, a member of the PhoneArena team since 2014, is a mobile technology enthusiast with a penchant for integrating tech into his hobbies and work. Whether it's writing articles on an iPad Pro, recording band rehearsals with multiple phones, or exploring the potential of mobile gaming through services like GeForce Now and Steam Link, Preslav's approach is hands-on and innovative. His balanced perspective allows him to appreciate both Android and iOS ecosystems, focusing on performance, camera quality, and user experience over brand loyalty.

Read the latest from Preslav Kateliev