iPhone 17: What's New With the Cameras

[citysnaps]

They will perform basically similar to the last year’s cameras in the iPhone. Some software tweaks will make things a bit better, maybe even some tweaks of the hardware. But ultimately they are minuscule sensors peering through tiny lenses. If you’re a photographer, stick to a camera for your photos. iPhone is wonderful for snaps and having something with you, truly impressive technology. But don’t expect any really noticeable difference year on year due to physical limitations.

As I said previously, I have plenty of so-called "real cameras."

And I've made loads of photos with both iPhones and dSLRs/mirrorless/pocket cameras/4x5 - some are posted here on MR. Each has their own place and purpose.

You may not know that the strength of a photograph and what makes one compelling to viewers has very little to do with gear. It's about the photographer, his/her life experiences, ability to read light, framing with environmental context in mind, choosing what should be in or out of the frame, and on and on and on. All determined within a few seconds before releasing the shutter.

Sadly... many people really believe photography is about having and using the "best gear."

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The millions of caseless iPhone users prove every day that there is absolutely no need "to prevent the camera bump touching/hitting anything when I put it down on a desk or charging pad."

Millions? I guess so but I can say that in my lifetime I might've seen enough caseless iPhones to count on one hand. It's rare.

 

[B A S]

So, what about the Main and Most used 23mm Camera ?
Will it be unchanged again, same old sensor as 14 Pro (2022!), 15 Pro and 16 Pro?
Vivo x200 Ultra, Xiaomi 15u or Oppos x8 are far better right now and I would Like to see more than just a finally better Tele.
95% of my Pics are Taken with the Main Camera…

Exactly, I also use that camera the most, it was always called the main rear camera but I've not seen one article so far even mention that this most important camera has the same camera module (IMX803) since the iphone 14. Last year it was rumoured the 16 series or at least the 16 Pro Max might get the newer camera module (IMX903) but then after release the reason given was that the module was ready when the 16 series went into production. So there's no excuse now other than drip feeding upgrades so that the 18 series with proposed new Samsung camera module looks enough different from the IMX803 camera module.

 

[The Game 161]

the cameras will like they have for a while have very little difference. iphone camera hardware is still badly lacking which shows up in the results.

 

[lk400]

As I said previously, I have plenty of so-called "real cameras."

And I've made loads of photos with both iPhones and dSLRs/mirrorless/pocket cameras/4x5 - some are posted here on MR. Each has their own place and purpose.

You may not know that the strength of a photograph and what makes one compelling to viewers has very little to do with gear. It's about the photographer, his/her life experiences, ability to read light, framing with environmental context in mind, choosing what should be in or out of the frame, and on and on and on. All determined within a few seconds before releasing the shutter.

Sadly... many people really believe photography is about having and using the "best gear."

I think you may have misread my post. I was not inferring you don't have real cameras, I was sure you do. My point was that with the physical limitations of iPhone cameras, the year on year improvement (i.e., what you were talking about) is minimal. I find the iPhone a technological marvel and I am always incredibly impressed with how much it can do with so little in terms of sensor size and lenses. But really, it still does have those limitations, and to me at least, many of the images end up feeling quite "samey", and rely on software and post production to give it a different feel. It was in that that I mentioned using your real cameras if you want a real bump in performance.

Ive been photographing for 50 odd years, so I have some idea of what you are talking about. My newest "real" camera is 12 years old. I'm yet to embrace mirrorless, but I do feel envy at those new autofocus systems.

Anyway, apologies if my post came off wrong.

 

[Digital_Abacus]

Literally just make it thick enough to have the back flush with the camera, iPhone 4 style, and boost the battery size.

 

[nikaru]

- "Hey, you dropped your camera!"

- "It's my phone, but thanks"

 

[darngooddesign]

Literally just make it thick enough to have the back flush with the camera, iPhone 4 style, and boost the battery size.

I dont want an iPhone 4 quality camera, and I don’t want a phone as thick as my 15 Pro’s lenses all the time when I can just stick a slim magsafe powerbank on the back when I occasionally need more battery.

 

[citysnaps]

Literally just make it thick enough to have the back flush with the camera, iPhone 4 style, and boost the battery size.

Nope... that's not what I want. My 16PM while being a great phone and camera, is too thick (with a silicone case) to quickly pull out (and put back in) of the shirts I like to wear. It's a frustrating experience.

And that's why my interest is potentially in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air.

 

[nikaru]

the cameras will like they have for a while have very little difference. iphone camera hardware is still badly lacking which shows up in the results.

Totally. Sometimes I wake up at night thinking "If only the iPhone had a better camera...".

 

[Makisupa Policeman]

17 Pro Max for me it is! I’m due for an upgrade from my 13 Pro 😁

 

[kkell97]

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.

lol

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Millions? I guess so but I can say that in my lifetime I might've seen enough caseless iPhones to count on one hand. It's rare.

We could argue the actual percentage of folks that put modern iPhones in [IMO often tacky] cases, but yes it is obviously millions that go caseless. The point is that if those millions had problems with the camera bump getting damaged by sitting on bartop surfaces we would have heard a lot about it.

Modern iPhone Pros are uber-tough. I certainly have not observed any issues going caseless for years now, including routinely putting the phone camera-bump-down on tables and lots of drops to concrete. I only buy the Pro versions, so I cannot comment on whether or not the regular iPhones are just as tough.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Nope... that's not what I want. My 16PM while being a great phone and camera, is too thick (with a silicone case) to quickly pull out (and put back in) of the shirts I like to wear. It's a frustrating experience.

And that's why my interest is potentially in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air.

Try your 16PM without the case for a week or two. I cannot imagine kludging up my 16PM with a case.

 

[CPTmom2wp]

Maybe no one wants to say it, but I will. The Emperor Has No Clothes. What is wrong with you Apple??!! That is the most gawd awful, butt ugly phone I've ever seen. I am an early adopter, tech lover and have been a iPhone automatic upgrade through Apple since it was instituted. I'm also an Apple fan who has a laptop, 2 desktops, and a Mac mini (M1-3 chips); 5 HomePods; iPadPro; several AirPods Pro (yes, I keep a set at each computer);.....and a partridge in a pear tree :0)) . Without any hesitation, I am saying that I will not be caught dead with this phone. Even putting 3 monkeys in a cage and letting them throw pieces together would look better than this Frankenstein conglomeration. It could be solid gold and I would be embarrassed to carry it. I'll keep my 16 Pro, thank you very much.

 

[citysnaps]

Try your 16PM without the case for a week or two. I cannot imagine kludging up my 16PM with a case.

Thanks. I would prefer using it without a case.

But, I have a silicone case around mine to help prevent my phone from getting jacked out of my shirt pocket when I'm making photos in San Francisco. The grip is so good that if someone tries to quickly take it, especially at an angle (which would be typical) as they're running by, it's not coming out. And that gives me a second or two to act defensively. I like keeping my phone in my shirt pocket as it's always ready if I need to quickly make a photo of someone/something (pulling it straight up out of my pocket).

I know the above sounds crazy... but I've seen a few phones being snagged from people's shirt pockets on the streets in the downtown and sketchier areas as the thief runs by, snags it, and keeps on running. It's just the way it is in some areas.

 

[dare100em]

IMX803 again?

This is much more interesting question as the 100 discussions about the arangement of the sensors.

1. Do we get a larger 1/1" sensor like the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, which ranks #1 at DXOMark - or at least the IMX903 with 1/12" size and 1,4 µm Pixels
2. Die we get at least 26 mm for the main camera, better 28 mm

This is the real interesting part.

However, it seems we will get the very same 1/1,3" sensor again: Camera spec iPhone 17pro

 

[caiss]

he says that the iPhone 17 P will get again a 1/1.3 Sensor, but there is no Word about if this would be the Same as before or Not.
1/1.3 is a Common size in many 2025 phones

 

[dare100em]

he says that the iPhone 17 P will get again a 1/1.3 Sensor, but there is no Word about if this would be the Same as before or Not.
1/1.3 is a Common size in many 2025 phones

It is common. However, it is no benchmark or even at the top. At least the pro / proMax SHOULD be absolute benchmark