iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

[MacRumors]

iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020.

If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to simulate a low-light environment. The Night mode crescent moon symbol should appear in the top-right corner of the UI, and if you tap the six-dots icon in the same corner, you should see the Night mode button in the options panel.

Now choose Portrait in the carousel and perform the same low-light simulation with your hand – no crescent symbol will appear, and you won't see any Night mode toggle in the options panel when you open it.

Owners of iPhone 16 Pro and other recent Pro models who perform this test won't see Night mode disappear in Portrait mode, and apparently this is all by design, according to Apple's own iOS 26 iPhone User Guide. As spotted by Macworld, the support document says you can only take portraits when Night mode is engaged on the following models:

• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

Users on Reddit and Apple's own discussion forums noticed the omission on iPhone 17 Pro models at least a couple of months ago, but it seems that the change was not widely known (though a DXOMARK Camera test conducted in September does appear to reference the limitation).

Missing Night Mode option in Camera app's Portrait mode (left) vs. Photo mode​

The omission is puzzling, since the iPhone 17 Pro's camera hardware should be capable of combining the two modes. It could be that photos taken with Night mode are limited to 12 megapixels, whereas Portrait photos can be captured at 24 megapixels.

Still, Apple has not officially explained why the feature is not available on its latest premium models, nor has it said whether the feature will arrive later as part of a coming software update. Either way, we expect Apple will provide some commentary soon.

Until then, for users who relied on Night Mode portraits on earlier Pro models, it probably feels like a downgrade.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

 

[sziehr]

I am sorry , but if it took the entire world this long to figure it out the feature was not accidentally omitted it was just discontinued due to lack of use. This seems to be apple doing a Tesla oh you all did not use that feature and it cost us how much to make it work with every new pipeline, nah nix it our data shows like 5 people use it.

 

[Pixelspeeper]

I found out weeks ago and thought it was a bug when comparing my 16 Pro and 17 Pro, turns out it’s never there

 

[JokoWidodo]

Probably due to the LiDAR sensor positioning now too far from the lenses

 

[t0rqx]

In the past I posted about how Apple will sell you an iPhone without an actual iPhone. These are the first signs of that path.

iPhone 17 Pro models:

- Nobody talks about #Shadowgate? Every picture taken has a big shadow behind the subject due to the repositioning of the flash.

- Nobody talks about how iOS26 generate more typos because of faulty registering touches.

- Nobody talking about the bottom speaker emitting static noises when plugged into USBC charger.

- Nobody talking about the speakers being considerably weaker than previous gens!

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

iOS 33 will have this as a long requested and delivered feature.

 

[deuxani]

Yeah I noticed it missing on the Air, but I thought it was due to it not having LIDAR and Telephoto. Guess it’s gone on all the new iPhones.

 

[gumbyhw]

- Nobody talking about the speakers being considerably weaker than previous gens!

This is a good feature to reduce the impact of ********s who use speaker mode in public.

 

[MrsBsaysHi]

iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020.

If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to simulate a low-light environment. The Night mode crescent moon symbol should appear in the top-right corner of the UI, and if you tap the six-dots icon in the same corner, you should see the Night mode button in the options panel.

Now choose Portrait in the carousel and perform the same low-light simulation with your hand – no crescent symbol will appear, and you won't see any Night mode toggle in the options panel when you open it.

Owners of iPhone 16 Pro and other recent Pro models who perform this test won't see Night mode disappear in Portrait mode, and apparently this is all by design, according to Apple's own iOS 26 iPhone User Guide. As spotted by Macworld, the support document says you can only take portraits when Night mode is engaged on the following models:

• iPhone 12 Pro
  
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
  
• iPhone 13 Pro
  
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
  
• iPhone 14 Pro
  
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
  
• iPhone 15 Pro
  
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
  
• iPhone 16 Pro
  
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

Users on Reddit and Apple's own discussion forums noticed the omission on iPhone 17 Pro models at least a couple of months ago, but it seems that the change was not widely known (though a DXOMARK Camera test conducted in September does appear to reference the limitation).

Missing Night Mode option in Camera app's Portrait mode (left) vs. Photo mode​

The omission is puzzling, since the iPhone 17 Pro's camera hardware should be capable of combining the two modes. It could be that photos taken with Night mode are limited to 12 megapixels, whereas Portrait photos can be captured at 24 megapixels.

Still, Apple has not officially explained why the feature is not available on its latest premium models, nor has it said whether the feature will arrive later as part of a coming software update. Either way, we expect Apple will provide some commentary soon.

Until then, for users who relied on Night Mode portraits on earlier Pro models, it probably feels like a downgrade.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

I noticed recently that portrait is not there, just upon opening camera. I am updated to the lates IOS and have the iPhone 15 Pro.

 

[MrRom92]

I wonder how the apple cucks will try to justify this one

 

[bradman83]

I noticed recently that portrait is not there, just upon opening camera. I am updated to the lates IOS and have the iPhone 15 Pro.

It's there, the slider has just been (poorly) redesigned. You have to slide the glass bobble on the selection bar and it will expand to show additional options like Portrait, Spatial, and Pano alongside the various video modes.

 

[uacd]

Maybe it is a bug after all, can’t see any reason to remove one computational mode from another.

though a DXOMARK Camera test conducted in September does appear to reference the limitation

They never notice anything. The most useless company to ever exist. Their camera tier lists are all but lies and they would push whoever pays them more money, i.e. biased, crooked and too basic for camera testing

 

[Infuspeur]

Maybe they’ll implement a version of MacOS Edge Light on iPhone 17 to compensate.

 

[blcamp]

iPhones are notoriously bad for night photos anyway, so I see what difference this makes.

 

[B4U]

And they charge $300 more for the pro that is slightly neutered?

 

[ikramerica]

In the past I posted about how Apple will sell you an iPhone without an actual iPhone. These are the first signs of that path.

iPhone 17 Pro models:

- Nobody talks about #Shadowgate? Every picture taken has a big shadow behind the subject due to the repositioning of the flash.

- Nobody talks about how iOS26 generate more typos because of faulty registering touches.

- Nobody talking about the bottom speaker emitting static noises when plugged into USBC charger.

- Nobody talking about the speakers being considerably weaker than previous gens!

I thought my fat fingers were extra fat with all the recent typos piling up. But I’m on Zepbound so that’s impossible!

 

[Zapski]

Can’t say I ever used the feature, sooo… ok ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[lapstags]

Fire cook

 

[Agent007]

This is a good feature to reduce the impact of ********s who use speaker mode in public.

You've got one extra star there.

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

I am sorry , but if it took the entire world this long to figure it out the feature was not accidentally omitted it was just discontinued due to lack of use. This seems to be apple doing a Tesla oh you all did not use that feature and it cost us how much to make it work with every new pipeline, nah nix it our data shows like 5 people use it.

You talk as if you’re the authority on what features should live or die, just because you personally never used it doesn’t mean it had no value.
Most people aren’t on MacRumors ready to file a mass complaint the second something disappears from their phone. They have a life, and better things to do. And yes, there are very likely people who actually noticed and regretted its removal.

 

[kalafalas]

I noticed this right away upgrading from my 15 pro. I thought it was a bug. Huge disappointment

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

iPhones are notoriously bad for night photos anyway, so I see what difference this makes.

If you’re still using a 1st gen SE, maybe...

 

[t0rqx]

I wonder how the apple cucks will try to justify this one

It needs A20 for night shots.

 

[macjaffa]

In the past I posted about how Apple will sell you an iPhone without an actual iPhone. These are the first signs of that path.

iPhone 17 Pro models:

- Nobody talks about #Shadowgate? Every picture taken has a big shadow behind the subject due to the repositioning of the flash.

- Nobody talks about how iOS26 generate more typos because of faulty registering touches.

- Nobody talking about the bottom speaker emitting static noises when plugged into USBC charger.

- Nobody talking about the speakers being considerably weaker than previous gens!

It's more evidence of the downfall of Apple iphones. It's a gradual thing. People won't notice it until it's actually happened, like the fall of the Roman Empire. Apple Iphone hey day is over. They have been recycling the same drip drip phone for about 4 generations now. We can only hope hefty chonk iphone 18 will save the day except it won't. It's more of the same. They are gambling on the iphone fold but this will be a flop. People will reject paying 2K for a chunky more complicated device. They also have way too many models. Apple needs to go back to a simplified line up. with a simple, decent, iphone with an interface that isn't overloaded to the hilt. Have you seen safari recently? It's a miefield of long press, and 5mm wide touch spots . How do i close tabs? How do i get a new tab? How do i trigger reader? everythign is behind another hidden click. They really have lost the plot. Even their 'simple' iphone 16e is confused and isn't even that cheap.

 

[Hank001]