Apple has turned heads after announcing that the whole Major League Soccer (MLS) match was filmed using an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The tech giant claims this is the first major sports broadcast shot entirely on a phone. The match between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo FC was promoted as “Shot on iPhone.” However, the tech giant is now facing criticism from fans who ask, “How much of the result actually came from the phone?”
iPhone 17 Pro-powered MLS broadcast faces criticism over professional lens setup
As per the official statement, Apple used a total of 15 iPhone 17 Pro Max devices to capture the match. The phones were kept across the stadium to record the match from different angles. The match was later aired on Apple TV, where the broadcast was labeled as “the first major sporting event filmed entirely on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.”
MLS also promoted the broadcast on its social handles with the tag “Shot on iPhone.” Moreover, Apple also said the use of the iPhone in the shooting made the broadcast feel more personal and dynamic. The use of iPhones made it easier to capture close-up perspectives that are difficult for broadcast cameras. However, the campaign soon faced backlash from fans. The behind-the-scenes footage revealed that the iPhones were heavily equipped with multiple professional cinema gears.
Fans aren’t happy about the use of advanced camera gear behind Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” claim
The iPhones were reportedly equipped with stabilizers and Fujifilm broadcast lenses, some reportedly costing over $200,000. Several third-party apps, such as the Blackmagic camera app, were also used. This massive, studio-grade ecosystem fundamentally alters the video or image quality. The setup generates footage that looks entirely different from what a standard iPhone 17 Pro Max could produce out of the box.
Regardless, some users have praised Apple for proving that a smartphone can handle a professional live sports production. Also, not all the iPhones were equipped with a dedicated camera gear. The company later revealed it used seven iPhones without lens attachments, while eight carried professional broadcast equipment. Personally, I think the use of the “Shot on iPhone” tag is fair since many iPhones were used without an external setup.
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