While the iPhone does have a built-in 5x telephoto lens, I often find myself stepping back to reframe shots—it can be too much zoom for everyday use. Additionally, the quality in low-light situations isn’t great, resulting in grainy images and a loss of detail when zoomed in. This happens because each iPhone camera has a different sensor, and the 5x sensor is smaller than the one on the main 1x camera, leading to these quality issues.

On the other hand, the iPhone’s best and largest sensor is paired with the 1x lens. It captures crisp details and performs exceptionally well in low light. However, relying solely on the 1x lens can feel limiting—like an artist restricted to only using a pencil. But when given primary colors to work with, creativity expands. That’s where an external lens comes in. It provides the perfect balance between mobility and professional-quality results, allowing you to take full advantage of the iPhone’s best sensor while adding creative flexibility.

For the sake of this article, I'll be using the SANDMARC 58mm 2x Telephoto Lens as an example. Think of your iPhone as another tool in your creative arsenal—a blank canvas. When paired with external lenses and third-party camera apps like Pro Camera or the Blackmagic Camera app, you can achieve near-professional results without the hassle of carrying heavy gear.

An external lens adds zoom without sacrificing quality like a digital zoom would. It also enhances depth of field and natural bokeh, similar to what you’d get from a 50mm lens on a DSLR. While the iPhone does have a portrait mode that simulates depth of field, I’ve never been a huge fan—it works in some settings but can look artificial. With an optical lens, that’s no longer a concern.

Build quality is another crucial factor. A lens made from plastic or cheap materials is bound to break at the mounting point over time. Even the glass itself needs to be high quality. The SANDMARC lens is crafted from multi-coated glass with a durable metal casing, and even the mounting point is metal, eliminating weak spots in your gear during shoots.

Now, why choose an iPhone over professional-grade cameras? Let’s step inside to discuss. Here, I have the Sony A7S III and the Sony A7 III—both exceptional cameras. The A7S III excels in video with cinema-level quality, while the A7 III is fantastic for photos. However, my main concerns are weight and cost. That said, I’m not suggesting that an iPhone with a couple of lenses can fully replace high-end cameras.

However, for day-to-day content creation and certain projects, the iPhone is a much more convenient option. While there’s a time and place for a full cinema rig, going back to basics helps sharpen storytelling, composition, and creative vision—things that can sometimes get overshadowed by relying too much on gear.

Having a device that shoots log video and RAW photos, all while fitting in my pocket, is a game-changer. Let’s do a quick comparison between the iPhone 16 with the SANDMARC Telephoto 2x Lens and the Sony FX3. In well-lit scenes, the iPhone setup produces professional results in a compact, low-profile package.

The iPhone is ideal for everyday content creation and even run-and-gun shooting, bridging the gap between iPhone convenience and professional image quality. I now see my iPhone not just as a phone, but as a powerful creative tool in my camera bag.