iPhone just got 10x optical zoom – this impressive teleconverter kit previously seen on Vivo phones has just been discovered by Apple fans
- PGYTech is raising funds for a 2.35x teleconverter kit for the iPhone
- Combined with the iPhone’s built-in zoom, you can zoom in 10 times or more
- You need iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
If your smartphone’s cameras don’t get you close enough to the action, you can invest in an accessory: the PGYTech 2.35x telephoto extender that was bundled with high-end Vivo handsets is now available for iPhone as well.
Called the RetroVa Vintage Imaging Kit and currently raising money on Kickstarter (via Android Authority), the accessory can allow up to 10x traditional zoom (235 mm) on the iPhone 17 Pro series and 11.7x traditional zoom (282 mm) on the iPhone 16 Pro series – combining the 2.35x zoom of the iPhone built into the iPhone zoinory.
It certainly seems to be popular with hackers: at the time of writing the camera kit is over its $10,000 goal, at $60,109 and counting. If you want yours, you need to pledge $184 (about £134 / AU$263). The post-Kickstarter price is set at $229.95 (about £167 / AU$328).
As with any Kickstarter crowdfunded product, putting your money down doesn’t guarantee you’ll get anything back at the end of the campaign – but given that PGYTech has made these lenses for Vivo handsets, they should know what they’re doing.
The results ‘speak for themselves’
The ‘RetroVa’ in the name comes from the clip-on case style that holds the zoom lens, with a large grip on the end. In fact, you can buy this case by itself if you want, to make it easier to hold your iPhone while taking photos and videos.
We were really impressed when we had time to work with the Vivo kit last year, describing it as “something special” in terms of accessories, “and results. [that] speak for themselves” when a zoom lens is attached. We noticed some issues with stabilization and autofocus, however.
As our reviewer noted: “Honestly, when I first saw this lens, I thought it would be a gimmick. External lens adapters for phones are nothing new, and often, lead to serious image degradation. This one, however, is something special.”
Of course, it is difficult to be sure how the user experience and the final results will be with the iPhone kit, but it should be very comparable to the Vivo one. We found that the device can capture photos and videos that look like they were taken with a mirrorless camera, without the cost or bulk.
The RetroVa Vintage Imaging Kit is scheduled to begin shipping in March 2026, so there’s still time if you want to get your name (and money) down early. The kit also includes additional virtual camera buttons and a microSD card slot for storage expansion.
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