iPhone 17: What's New With the Cameras

[MacRumors]

We've still got months to go before the new iPhone 17 models come out, but a combination of dummy models and leaks have given us some insight into what we can expect in terms of camera changes.

Apple is adding new camera features, and changing the design of the camera bump for some models. You might be skeptical of dummy models, but over the years, they've proven to be a highly accurate reflection of Apple's design changes. It's case makers who suss out the info used for these dummy models, because there's big money in being the first to market with a case for a new device.

We've rounded up everything that we've heard so far about Apple's upcoming camera tweaks.

All iPhones

All four of the iPhones coming in 2025 are expected to have an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, which marks a major improvement over the current 12-megapixel front camera.

You'll be able to crop in further on selfies without a loss of quality with that size increase, plus we can also expect better low light performance and more detail in images.

iPhone 17 Pro

For the first time, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will have a trio of 48-megapixel lenses, with a 48-megapixel Fusion lens, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, and a new 48-megapixel Tetraprism Telephoto lens. The new Ultra Wide lens was introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro, and the upgraded Telephoto lens will be 2025's standout camera feature.

With 48 megapixels, it will be possible to crop in further on Telephoto images without losing detail, for even closer shots.

Apple plans to focus camera marketing on video this year, and the iPhone 17 Pro models could support 8K video recording, up from 4K in the iPhone 16 Pro models. There might also be support for dual video recording, which would let users record video with both the front and rear cameras at the same time for sharing on social media.

There have been rumors suggesting the iPhone 17 Pro models might have a mechanical aperture that will let users adjust the amount of light reaching the lens. Apple has only used fixed apertures to date, but a variable aperture would allow for more customizable images with a shallower depth-of-field.

Along with all of these camera improvements, it looks like there's going to be a major camera redesign. Instead of a square camera bump, Apple's going to turn it into a rectangle. There will be a horizontal camera bar across the back of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and it'll house the cameras.

The lenses are still going to be in the same general orientation, apparently, with a triangular setup that packs them close together. The flash, microphone, and the LiDAR sensor will be moved further to the right at the other end of the rectangle. It's not clear why Apple is making this design change.

iPhone 17 Air

Because of interior space constraints, the iPhone 17 Air will have just one 48-megapixel Fusion camera. It won't have the room for an Ultra Wide lens or a Telephoto lens, because Apple is making the iPhone 17 Air super thin. Rumors suggest it'll be just 5.5mm thick.

The iPhone 17 Air is getting the same horizontal rear camera bar as the iPhone 17 Pro, but it won't be as tall since it only needs to accommodate one lens. The camera lens will be on the left, and the flash and microphone will be on the right.

With just one camera, the iPhone 17 Air won't be able to capture spatial video or spatial photos, unless Apple has a new method for using a single-lens camera to capture that kind of footage.

iPhone 17

Aside from that 24-megapixel front-facing camera improvement, we haven't heard anything about the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17's rear camera seems to look the same as the iPhone 16's rear camera, with two lenses in a vertical arrangement at the left side of the device.

It doesn't look like the standard iPhone 17 will get the same horizontal camera bar that Apple is introducing for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air models.

We also haven't heard anything about sensor improvements, but that doesn't mean it's not a possibility. The iPhone 17 is expected to continue to feature a 48-megapixel Fusion lens and a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens.

Read More

For more on all of the features that are coming to the 2025 iPhone lineup, we have dedicated iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro roundups.

Article Link: iPhone 17: What's New With the Cameras

 

[Jandalf]

Why waiste space? The LiDAR Scanner and flash could easily move back to the left?
I hope there is really something new under the hood besides “bulky is the new air”…

 

[rafark]

Some part of me thinks some of these leaks are on purpose so that we get used to the new design, because after seeing those cameras over and over I’m starting to get used to them

 

[Aeronauts]

Those iPhone 17 Pro & Air dummy units look truly awful. Thankfully I don’t intend to upgrade this year.

 

[gsmornot]

The main purpose for the change is because today, if you push on the bottom right corner while it’s laying down, it rocks. MKBHD pointed it out. Now, no rock when placed flat. Has to be. Ha.

 

[daneoni]

For me its probably my least favourite iPhone design out of all the generations (incl 5c).

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

 

[citysnaps]

Those iPhone 17 Pro & Air dummy units look truly awful. Thankfully I don’t intend to upgrade this year.

The 17 Air looks fine to me. But being a photographer, I'm interested in how the camera performs, and not how the back of the phone looks.

 

[Aeronauts]

The 17 Air looks fine to me. But being a photographer, I'm interested in how the camera performs, and not how the back of the phone looks.

I don’t understand your logic. If you’re a photographer why don’t you buy a camera rather than a phone?

 

[kwikdeth]

An added hump and the lenses still aren't flush? SMH.

 

[Aeronauts]

For me its probably my least favourite iPhone design out of all the generations (incl 5c).

I loved the 5c. It’s the only iPhone I didn’t have to put in a case and the bold colours were much better than the boring range of colours available now.

 

[kwikdeth]

The main purpose for the change is because today, if you push on the bottom right corner while it’s laying down, it rocks. MKBHD pointed it out. Now, no rock when placed flat. Has to be. Ha.

Look closely. If these are accurate, it's still going to do that. The lenses aren't flush with the bump.

 

[DrJR]

I won’t be impressed until they come up with a phone that can take pictures of itself.

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

man i just gotta say that that light blue render of the 17 Pro looks so good. I hope a color like that happens. i miss Sierra Blue

 

[andiwm2003]

Those iPhone 17 Pro & Air dummy units look truly awful. Thankfully I don’t intend to upgrade this year.

I have my phones in a case anyway. The cases smooth out the camera bump to some extent and then it looks less ugly. Just the normal phone case ugly and after a month I don't care anymore.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

I don’t understand your logic. If you’re a photographer why don’t you buy a camera rather than a phone?

A person can't do both? We can only own a camera OR a phone now?

Well, this is concerning...

 

[Smittywerben]

Why waiste space? The LiDAR Scanner and flash could easily move back to the left?
I hope there is really something new under the hood besides “bulky is the new air”…

Best case scenario is they are putting a large telephoto sensor but then it was rumored last year, according to Ming-Chi Kuo that they are gonna use a 1/2.6" size sensor which means telephoto is gonna be slightly better than before but still utter garbage in comparison to any other flagship.

 

[citysnaps]

I don’t understand your logic. If you’re a photographer why don’t you buy a camera rather than a phone?

I have plenty of cameras. Sometimes I like shooting with an iPhone; or I don't have a so-called "real camera" with me when I come across something interesting to make a photo of.

Having made tens of thousands of photographs, I can say the strength of a photograph has more to do with the photographer and his/her vision/eye and imagination, and not so much about what kind of camera is used. Of course there are edge cases - whether a phone cam or a regular camera.

 

[Taipan]

I really hope that the Pro will not actually look like that.

 

[kevine]

Look closely. If these are accurate, it's still going to do that. The lenses aren't flush with the bump.

Now look again with your minds eye... when you add a case, it won't.

 

[Lesimac]

Why waiste space? The LiDAR Scanner and flash could easily move back to the left?
I hope there is really something new under the hood besides “bulky is the new air”…

I really don't see the point in making thin phones and putting several huge warts on the back.. just make it the same thickness and put in a bigger battery. Hate sticking out cameras but they all do it !!

 

[scrapesleon]

Idk this new design is not

 

[anthogag]

I hope the 17 Pro raised bar means the camera lenses will be flush.

A larger light would be cool.

 

[slvrscoobie]

Variable aperture would allow Larger depth of field, not shallower - the largest aperture available is the one theyre already using -

 

[Hank001]

I hope the 17 Pro raised bar means the camera lenses will be flush.

A larger light would be cool.

Allegedly it's not flush.