Telephoto zoom cameras have been the priority this year, as both Apple and Google have focused heavily on them with their recent smartphone releases. That’s why I’m putting the iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 to the test to see how they perform.
While the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max have upgraded telephoto cameras, the lonely iPhone 17 still lacks a dedicated zoom camera. Meaning, all of its zooming is done with its 48MP main camera — with help from some sensor cropping and new image processing algorithms.
In contrast, the Pixel 10 raises the bar for all phones priced at $799 because of how it now has a dedicated 10.8MP telephoto shooter with 5x optical zoom. This is a big deal because it now beats the 3x optical zoom that the Galaxy S25 offers, making it one of the best camera phones you can buy.
For this test, I’m going to show you exactly how the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 compares to one another after snapping a handful of photos at different zoom levels. All of the photos below are shot 1x, 2x, and 10x zoom to illustrate how they perform across the range, but the Pixel 10 does go farther with a maximum 20x zoom.
Statue at the park from across the lawn
I was on the complete opposite side of Bryant Park when I snapped the zoom shots above, trying to keep the William Cullen Bryant Memorial centered. At 2x zoom, the results are very similar as both phones lean on a sensor crop with their main camera — and they both come out pleasant. I’d probably give it to the iPhone 17, mainly for the sharper performance of its main camera.
However, at 5x zoom, there’s no comparison at 10x zoom because the Pixel 10’s 10.8MP telephoto pulls in way more detail and definition. From the people relaxing on the lawn, to the finer details with the memorial’s stonework, the Pixel 10 is way better.
Winner: Pixel 10
A nearby shrub
For my next test, I wanted to try and zoom into something in my immediate area versus something far away, so I pointed both phones at a nearby shrub. Both cameras' 2x zoom shots are again similar, with slightly better results out of the iPhone 17. I really like how the iPhone 17’s main camera captures the spider’s web towards the left side of the shrub.
At the higher 10x magnification, the Pixel 10 is at a clear advantage, because it does an amazing job of capturing more details. If you zoom into one of the plant leaves, you can make out the textures all around it.
Winner: Pixel 10
Making out the words on a cafe's sign
I’ve seen how some phones enhance the words and letters they capture at a zoom, so I pointed the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 at a cafe’s sign to see what would happen. The 2x zoom shots are close, with the only difference being the iPhone 17’s slightly brighter, overall shot. They both capture the larger signs above of the cafe, along with the “order here” signs near the front. However, I can't really make out the sign directly above the entrance window with all the prices listed.
When I switched to the 10x zoom on the Pixel 10, I could easily make out the words and prices. Everything on that sign is legible, whereas the iPhone 17 really struggled with its softness.
Winner: Pixel 10
Building
Switching back to something really far off in the distance, I pointed the phones at a building across Bryant Park. Even though the iPhone 17’s brighter picture at 1x and 2x zoom gets my attention, their details capture are about the same.
Obviously the Pixel 10's 5x optical zoom proves critical in capturing more of the building’s detail. Since it already has a closing starting point, the Pixel 10 only needs to apply a 2x sensor crop zoom to effectively capture 10x zoom. The iPhone 17 is at a deficit right from the get-go because it’s applying sensor cropping and digital zoom to get to 10x zoom. Due to this process, the details get crushed.
Winner: Pixel 10
Person on the bench
At this point, I can’t stress enough the superiority of an optically backed telephoto camera. Again, the difference between the Pixel 10 and iPhone 17 couldn't be more apparent than with the photos I took of a woman sitting on a chair in Bryant Park.
The iPhone 17 delivers the brighter images at 1x and 2x zoom, but the 10x zoom shot from the Pixel 10 does a much better job at capturing details. It’s pretty obvious that it looks sharper and with more definition, but it becomes even more clear when I zoom more into the woman. The iPhone 17’s shot looks jagged, while the Pixel 10 has well-defined edges.
Winner: Pixel 10
Pink flower
For my last telephoto zoom test, I again put my sights on something nearby as opposed to far away. The 2x zoom shots of this flowery planter both capture the textures of the leaves and flower petals, but it’s an overwhelming win for Google at 10x zoom. The veins emanating from the petals are clearly visible with the Pixel 10’s shot, while they’re almost entirely nondescript with the iPhone 17.
What makes the Pixel 10’s zoom shots more versatile is the fact that there’s still extra room for cropping, without diminishing the image’s quality.
Winner: Pixel 10
Bottom Line
If you’re given the choice of a phone without a dedicated telephoto camera versus one that has one with optical zoom, always go with the latter. In this iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 telephoto camera zoom test, it’s pretty clear that the Pixel 10 has the big advantage for shots captured at 5x zoom and beyond.
No amount of sensor cropping can achieve the same level of performance that comes from a telephoto camera with optical zoom. Think of it like this: the Pixel 10 has the advantage because it has a closer starting point to begin with, while the iPhone 17 is farther away and needs to apply a sensor crop and digital zoom to get to the same starting point.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom's Guide
- Galaxy S26 Ultra could boast a "magical" privacy feature and a better OLED screen
- Samsung's One UI 8 is rolling out — here are the countries getting it first
- Your Pixel 10 Pro XL has a mic issue that’s ruining your videos — here’s what we know
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
