Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

[MacRumors]

Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.

"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air have the same Center Stage front camera with this functionality.

Apple provided more details in its iPhone 17 press releases last year:

Users no longer have to rotate their iPhone to take a landscape selfie — they can now take photos and videos in portrait or landscape while holding their iPhone vertically, enabling a more comfortable, secure grip and centred gaze. For group shots, Center Stage for photos uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame.

All four of the latest iPhone models are equipped with an 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera with a square image sensor.

Article Link: Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

 

[mike.coulter]

Righto - Good to know.

 

[froot1988]

Yeah no

 

[Hank001]

Obviously still need to rotate the phone to view the photo full screen. But yeah, I suppose it's easier for some to hold the phone upright. I never had a problem taking a groep selfie holding it landscape.

 

[lindros2]

If this is "innovation" and "marketing", Apple is doomed.
I hate the no-rotate on my 17 Pro. I still rotate it because of how my arm is designed.

 

[Mr_Ed]

If this truly constitutes a “key reason to upgrade”, it also points out there is little reason to do so for most people 🤷‍♂️

 

[hirealx]

If this is "innovation" and "marketing", Apple is doomed.
I hate the no-rotate on my 17 Pro. I still rotate it because of how my arm is designed.

You're right but imagine having it on a foldable

 

[digimc]

Just went out and bought a 100 more earlier.

 

[fathergll]

Is this the peak of human civilization?

 

[erihp]

It's giving 'no need to upgrade'

 

[ceojr215]

Nice try Apple but NO! Apple can also discontinue the Air! It’s doomed!
I’m becoming less happy with Apple and starting to think Samsung.

 

[Ctrlos]

Selfies remain a very silly way to take a group shot, what with the outstretched arm and inherent vanity. The Pixel 'Add Me' feature is a much better way of doing a group shot.

 

[macfacts]

cause older iPhone CPUs don't have enough power to auto rotate, gate keeping features to the latest iPhone, remember to upgrade!

 

[The Aletheophile]

cause older iPhone CPUs don't have enough power to auto rotate, gate keeping features to the latest iPhone, remember to upgrade!

the sensor is different

 

[jeremz1ne]

Is this the peak of human civilization? View attachment 2602710

That first hand isn't even making it in the photo, way to forward!

 

[contacos]

Cool but can we finally get the old android feature where you simply raise your palm to the camera to start a 3 second timer?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

cause older iPhone CPUs don't have enough power to auto rotate, gate keeping features to the latest iPhone, remember to upgrade!

Nothing to do with the CPU at all.
It’s because the new front camera has a square image sensor, compared to the old horizontal 16X9 image sensor in previous iPhones.
It being square means that it can be cropped either way.
You can literally see this new image sensor in teardowns.
But nice try though…

 

[klasma]

That’s a lot of money for improving the group selfie experience. One could split the expense among the group, though.

 

[BGPL]

I'm sure changing my selfie grip to something more ergonomic is well worth the $1200. Apple scraping the bottom of the reasons to upgrade barrel. Tim needs a new G6 so he can retire his POS G5.

 

[klasma]

That first hand isn't even making it in the photo, way to forward!

That’s due to Handoff.

 

[klasma]

Selfies remain a very silly way to take a group shot, what with the outstretched arm and inherent vanity. The Pixel 'Add Me' feature is a much better way of doing a group shot.

There should be a Panorama Selfie feature.

 

[Spock]

I love that Apple innovation.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Easier selfies are the opposite of what I need. I capture 1,000 images using the far superior rear cameras for every one captured using the less competent front-facing camera. All I want is a way to semi-permanently turn the front-facing camera off. It is far too easy to mistakenly shift to selfie mode; a total PITA to constantly need to shift back to capturing non-selfie images.

 

[carswell]

As someone who has never taken a selfie (there's enough ugliness in the world), this -- like Siri and Goople Intelligence -- is in no way a reason, let alone a key one, to upgrade to a 17.

 

[AlexESP]

The fact that some people are mocking this in the comments is a strong indicator of how disconnected they are from what users want/like.