The latest leaks regarding the iPhone 17 camera system offer a blend of exciting improvements and potentially disappointing downgrades. Here’s a closer look at what to expect from the 2025 iPhone camera technology.
Firstly, leaker Digital Chat Station corroborates Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s earlier report, confirming substantial camera upgrades across the 2025 iPhone 17 lineup. A significant improvement is anticipated for the front-facing selfie camera. All iPhone 17 models are projected to feature a 24MP/6P lens, a notable upgrade from the 12MP/5P lens found in the current iPhone 16 models. This enhancement promises improved image quality and reduced distortion.
Furthermore, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to receive upgraded telephoto lenses. This upgrade would see a jump from 12MP to 48MP, resulting in all three rear-facing cameras on the next-generation Pro models boasting 48MP lenses.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera
Initially, Kuo suggested that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max would receive this telephoto lens upgrade, excluding the smaller iPhone 17 Pro. However, subsequent leaks suggest both Pro models will benefit from the enhanced telephoto lens.
Despite these promising upgrades, there’s news of a potential downgrade. Leaks indicate that the iPhone 17 Pro models might feature a smaller primary camera sensor compared to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. The sensor on the 48MP primary camera could shrink from 1/1.28 inch to 1/1.3 inch.
As MacRumors clarifies, these fractions refer to the sensor “type” and not its physical dimensions. Therefore, a 1/1.3-inch sensor is indeed smaller than a 1/1.28-inch sensor.
While this size difference is unlikely to dramatically impact photo quality, it lends credence to rumors of a redesigned camera bump for the iPhone 17 Pro models. The new bump is speculated to be rectangular and made of aluminum instead of glass. The practical implications of this design change remain to be seen. Conflicting reports also suggest no changes to the camera bump are planned.
iPhone 17 Pro Camera Bump
Following recent trends, the iPhone 17 series will likely include a standard model and two Pro models. However, an intriguing rumor suggests the introduction of an “iPhone Air” model, potentially replacing the iPhone Plus. This new model is expected to be the thinnest iPhone yet, featuring distinct design changes compared to the rest of the series.
In conclusion, the iPhone 17 camera system promises a mixed bag. While the upgraded front-facing camera and telephoto lenses on the Pro models are exciting developments, the potential downscaling of the primary camera sensor raises some questions. The rumored redesign of the camera bump adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming release. Ultimately, the true impact of these changes will only be revealed with the official launch of the iPhone 17 series.
