iPhone 17: Using the New Center Stage Front Camera

[MacRumors]

On all models in Apple's new iPhone 17 series as well as the iPhone Air, the new 18MP Center Stage front camera transforms mobile photography with its square sensor design and intelligent auto-adjustment features. Unlike traditional front cameras, the system automatically rotates and zooms to capture perfect selfie shots.

The square sensor also captures more image data than rectangular sensors, giving you unprecedented flexibility in framing and composition without sacrificing image quality.

Understanding Auto-Rotate and Auto-Zoom

Center Stage automatically switches between horizontal and vertical orientation when you're lining up a shot, meaning you don't need to physically rotate your iPhone. The camera also dynamically adjusts its field of view based on what's happening in front of it.

When you're taking a solo selfie, for example, Center Stage keeps the frame tight for a more personal feel. As friends join the shot, the view expands to include everyone without cropping anyone out.

Taking Photos with Center Stage

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the circular arrows icon at the bottom right to switch to the selfie camera.
3. The Center Stage button (the icon of a person's profile within a frame) above the viewfinder should appear as yellow, indicating the feature is enabled.
4. Line up your shot – Center Stage automatically adjusts orientation and zoom.
5. Hit the shutter button to capture your photo or video.

Manual Camera Controls

You can override Center Stage's automatic functions when you need more control:

• Manual rotation: Tap the orientation icon within the viewfinder to switch between portrait and landscape modes.
• Manual zoom: Use the zoom icon (arrows pointing in/out) within the viewfinder to adjust the field of view yourself.

How to Disable Auto-Rotate

When the front camera is engaged, if Center Stage detects faces beside you or in the background and rotates to include them when you want a personal selfie:

1. Tap the yellow Center Stage button.
2. Tap Off next to "Auto Rotate."
3. Take your photo normally – the camera will no longer auto-rotate. Alternatively, use the rotate orientation icon in the viewfinder to do so manually.

How to Disable Auto-Zoom

When the front camera is engaged, if Center Stage's automatic zoom adjustments don't match your needs:

1. Tap the yellow Center Stage button.
2. Tap Off next to "Auto Zoom."
3. Use the manual zoom button (with arrows pointing in/out) within the viewfinder to frame your shot exactly as desired.

Center Stage works during FaceTime calls too, keeping your face centered, similar to how it functions on iPads and MacBooks. If you're interested to learn about dual capture video recording on iPhone 17, be sure to check out our dedicated how-to.

Article Link: iPhone 17: Using the New Center Stage Front Camera

 

[cbaca51]

Seriously such a great feature for the front camera. That with the upgrade in MP, cameras are a really nice upgrade this year!

 

[jz0309]

Thanks for the article, haven’t had a chance yet to use the cameras on my 17PM much so will give this a try too

 

[F23]

the auto rotate does not work on FaceTime. thanks Tim

 

[zachz]

the auto rotate does not work on FaceTime. thanks Tim

FaceTime in iOS 26 has to be one of the worst “upgrades” in a while and it’s such a pain to use now, this doesn’t help it

 

[dchronus]

the auto rotate does not work on FaceTime. thanks Tim

That's .... a little disappointing. I rarely have to turn it sideways for FaceTime but it would be nice to have the option.

 

[jayducharme]

Funny how the photo at the top shows the camera on the wrong side of the phone.

 

[applefan8254]

Can we get this type of sensor for the front cameras too? Would be nice to see all those vertical images be presented in widescreen when viewers on TV or elsewhere

 

[darngooddesign]

Funny how the photo at the top shows the camera on the wrong side of the phone.

Centers the text better that way. Of course you could interpret as pointing to the entire Island instead of the camera itself.

 

[Reeneman]

the auto rotate does not work on FaceTime. thanks Tim

Most likely this will be added/fixed in an upcoming update.

 

[ppdix]

This is great. Selfies are always a problem when you have more than one person in the frame...
BTW RayBan Meta Smart Glasses had a square sensor back in 2021.
You got a square video that you could either crop vertically or horizontally after it was taken.

 

[AlexESP]

Funny how the photo at the top shows the camera on the wrong side of the phone.

On the Air (which is the model of the photo), the camera is on the left side.

 

[ifxf]

Even more icons in the camera app. You need a manual if you don’t use the app every day.

 

[topmounter]

Even more icons in the camera app. You need a manual if you don’t use the app every day.

We are most definitely well past peak-phone.

 

[rp2011]

There are also open gate apps that allow you to capture the entire frame, which sounds like a great option in photography.

 

[jayducharme]

On the Air (which is the model of the photo), the camera is on the left side.

Aha! That explains it.

 

[Reeneman]

The switch between landscape and portrait took a bit too long or is it just me?

 

[Ntombi]

Used it for the first time today with two friends and it was great. We take a selfie almost every time we get together, and usually, at least one of us is looking at the wrong side and needs a retake. This turned out so well, and we all looked good.

For reference, I’m a medium-brown Black woman, and one of my friends is a super duper pale white woman, and the other is in between. So getting our skin to all look good in one is already a big accomplishment. Add the portrait/landscape issue, and whew boy.

This camera is a big step up.

 

[Hank001]

Article would be better if it were to include some tech info:

Sensor is 4896x4896 but crops it either landscape or portrait with an aspect ratio of 4:3. So no rotation involved as the article incorrectly states. And no, setting the AR to 1:1 doesn't result in a 24MP photo; it becomes 2316x2316 (≈ 5MP).

 

[contacos]

And yet we still cannot start a group selfie timer by just raising our hand towards the camera. That's one particular but very convenient feature I'd love for them to copy from android.

Every time I do that on my Fold, all my iPhone family and friends are like WOW how did you do that 😅

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Downvoted. Center stage would’ve been great a few years ago when it was introduced on iPad. In its current state it doesn’t even work properly in FaceTime. And by the way: I can take selfies on my old 14 Pro as well, without the help of Center stage - it is possible!

 

[autistic-savant]

Forgive me if I missed it but no number '17' attached to the 'air' model probably means no annual update, like they did with the old 'SE'.

 

[svish]

Glad that the improvements to the front camera are available on all models this year. Think auto rotate will be useful. Looking forward to trying it out once I receive my 17 Pro Max. Think this new front camera will make its way to the M5 iPad Pro.

 

[tomtad]

So why can't the rear camera be a square sensor as well?

 

[MrRom92]

If the sensor is square why is there no way to just capture the full square image? Why does it have to be a horizontal or vertical crop?

It reminds me a bit of my 6x6 medium format Mamiya with a built in film gate that flips out, to allow me to shoot 645 format instead if I want to. All it does is block off part of the film (and the corresponding part of the viewfinder) so that the full square image is never exposed. But at least it gives me the option!