Danny Weber
13:42 03-02-2026
© RetroVA / Kickstarter
RetroVa photo kit adds manual controls and 10x optical zoom to iPhone 16 Pro and 17 Pro models, with a telephoto lens and ProRes recording via Kickstarter.
A new product has emerged in the mobile photography accessories market: the RetroVa photo kit, which transforms an iPhone into something resembling a professional camera. While Chinese brands like Xiaomi, vivo, and OPPO have previously experimented with external modules and additional optics, such solutions for the iPhone have remained rare until now.
The kit is aimed at owners of the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and models from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. According to the developers, it's designed for users who don't plan to upgrade their smartphone but want more advanced zoom and manual control when shooting.
RetroVa comes in two versions. The base variant includes a case with an ergonomic grip that turns the smartphone into a camera with familiar controls. Users get a two-stage shutter button, a zoom toggle, a control wheel, and additional customizable buttons for parameters like ISO and exposure.
The extended version of the kit adds a screw-on telephoto lens with 2.35x magnification. Paired with the iPhone's telephoto lenses, this achieves an equivalent focal length of up to 235 mm, which corresponds to 10x optical zoom on the iPhone 17 Pro and 12x on the iPhone 16 Pro. The developers claim image quality significantly surpasses digital zoom, especially when shooting nature, sporting events, and dynamic scenes.
A noteworthy feature is the built-in microSD card slot, which allows direct recording of video in ProRes format. The kit also comes with a proprietary app offering manual controls and a retro-style interface. Meanwhile, the grip's built-in battery powers only the control elements, not for charging the smartphone.
The project launched on Kickstarter in late January 2026 and quickly exceeded its funding goal. Shipment of the first devices is scheduled for March–April, depending on the chosen configuration. Despite its crowdfunding status and associated risks, RetroVa presents an intriguing solution for iPhone owners seeking advanced zoom and expanded camera control without buying a new smartphone or a separate camera.