Brian Jeffrey
The forthcoming iPhone 17 series is expected to showcase significant enhancements in its camera features, especially for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, encompassing both hardware advancements and software upgrades.
Set for a fall release, the iPhone 17 lineup aims to make the camera the focal point once again.
While the base iPhone 17 and the newly introduced iPhone 17 Air (replacing the Plus variant) might keep the existing rear camera configuration, they will still boast several worthwhile enhancements.
In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to incorporate superior hardware and improved photo-taking capabilities, featuring a new sensor and the ability to record in 8K resolution.
Significant modifications are not expected in the rear cameras of the iPhone 17 and 17 Air. These models will likely maintain the dual-camera arrangement introduced with the iPhone 16, featuring a 48MP primary shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide lens.
The most notable upgrade may come with the front camera. Apple is set to enhance the selfie sensor to 24MP, equipped with a 6-element plastic lens. This represents a remarkable upgrade from the current 12MP front camera and is the first major hardware change since the iPhone 11 in 2019.
This improvement will lead to clearer selfies, easier cropping and editing, and enhanced performance in low-light scenarios.
The iPhone 17 series will continue to feature a vertically arranged rear camera setup, enabling spatial video recording meant for use with the Vision Pro headset.
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to include a new 48MP telephoto lens (up from the 12MP on the iPhone 16 Pro) with a decrease in optical zoom from 5x to 3.5x. However, digital zoom may reach up to 7x without significant loss in clarity. These models will come alongside a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide lens.
Some may find the reduction of optical zoom to 3.5x contentious, particularly among professional photographers who depend on stronger optical zoom capabilities for remote shots.
The rear camera layout is also set for a considerable redesign. The new configuration will consist of a horizontal camera bar stretching across the back of the device, complete with a triangular three-lens arrangement on the left and the flash, microphone, and LiDAR sensor positioned on the right.
Moreover, Apple is reportedly considering the option of recording simultaneously with both the front and rear cameras—a feature already present on many Android phones that would be particularly advantageous for vloggers and content creators.
Another long-awaited functionality, 8K video recording, is forecasted to debut. Although this feature was missing from the iPhone 16 Pro lineup, it has re-emerged in recent leaks for 2025. If true, this would signify Apple’s entry into ultra-high-resolution video recording.
Unsurprisingly, the new 24MP front camera will also be reflected in the Pro models.
A potential addition is the implementation of ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) coating across all camera lenses. This cutting-edge coating helps minimize glare and lens flaring, especially useful in low-light photography or high-contrast settings.
Apple is anticipated to expand its Apple Intelligence suite, encompassing AI-driven camera features such as automatic photo enhancement, content summarization, and improved Siri functionalities specific to camera tasks (like automatically capturing and sharing photos).
These enhancements will be powered by the A19 chip in the iPhone 17 and 17 Air, while the A19 Pro chip will be included in the Pro models. RAM is also projected to increase to 8GB for basic models and 12GB for the Pro versions.
Alongside the advancements in iOS 19, the iPhone 17’s camera system is poised to offer quicker response times and enhanced stability.
However, previous rumors about the glare-reducing ALD coating have not always come to fruition, leading to some skepticism until official confirmation from Apple is received.
Historically, Apple’s cameras have performed well in tests conducted by PhoneArena, although some recent iterations have occasionally lagged behind certain Samsung devices in terms of image quality.
The addition of a 48MP telephoto lens could help close this gap by delivering more detailed photographs, complementing the 48MP upgrades already in place for the main and ultra-wide lenses.
8K video may attract professional content creators. While it could be a significant highlight at launch, it may not become a routine feature for the average user.
The iPhone 17 series introduces substantial camera advancements, particularly the 24MP front camera in all models and the triple 48MP configuration in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, along with the addition of 8K video recording capabilities.
The redesigned camera bar lends a contemporary look but may introduce certain practical challenges. The iPhone 17 Air is constrained by its single rear camera, and the standard iPhone 17 shows minimal hardware changes, possibly inviting ongoing criticism as competitors like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Samsung make strides in technology.
Ultimately, while the iPhone 17 camera system holds promise, actual real-world evaluations will be crucial in determining its effectiveness.
(PhoneArena, 9to5Mac)
