The iPhone 17 series is nearing its expected announcement in fall 2025, and cameras are once again said to take center stage.
While the standard iPhone 17 may stick to a familiar rear camera setup, there are still some notable upgrades on the table.
On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Air that's said to replace the Plus model from previous years, will be trimming down the number of cameras.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to deliver more advanced hardware and computational photography improvements, with new sensors, and potential support for 8K video.
The iPhone 17 Air might come with a single rear camera.
Don’t expect drastic changes to the rear cameras on the iPhone 17. The dual-camera setup from the iPhone 16 that featured a 48 MP wide (main) and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera is likely going to return.
The exciting news comes from the front of the phone. Apple is reportedly upgrading the selfie camera to a 24 MP sensor this year, which is said to have six plastic lens elements. That’s double the resolution of the current 12 MP shooter, and it’s the first front-facing camera hardware change since the iPhone 11 (2019).
In practice, this change should mean sharper selfies, more flexibility for cropping and editing, and better low-light performance.
Just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 series will feature vertically aligned rear cameras for capturing spatial video, which can be viewed on Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Except, that might not be the case for the new iPhone 17 Air, which is said to come with a single 48 MP camera at the back.
iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: 48 MP triple cameras and 8K video?
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro case implies once again that we should expect a redesign of the camera module. | Image credit – Otofly
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to come with a brand new 48 MP 5x telephoto camera, to go perfectly with the 48 MP main camera and 48 MP ultra-wide.
There’s also talk that Apple could introduce the ability to record video from the rear and selfie cameras simultaneously, which would be a useful tool for vloggers and content creators. Although, it's something that's been available on Android phones for a while now.
Another long-awaited feature might finally arrive: 8K video recording. While it didn’t make the cut in the iPhone 16 Pro series, it’s back on the rumor mill for 2025. If true, this would mark Apple’s first step into ultra-high-resolution video recording.
The Pro models will also adopt the upgraded 24 MP front-facing camera that's said to adorn the standard and Air models.
Of course, it's not possible to avoid talking about the elephant in the room, which is the expected redesign of the camera module. A recent leak once again showed the controversial design of the iPhone 17 Pro's massive camera island, which now spans nearly edge to edge—sparking mixed reactions from fans.
The bold look may be justified, though, as the reason behind it might be the new 48 MP periscope zoom lens and potentially a larger sensor. Both of which would require more internal space and a rearranged layout, including a relocated LiDAR sensor.
Additional camera features: ALD coating, and software improvements
Another expected refinement is the use of ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) coating on all cameras. This advanced coating would help reduce flare and ghosting, especially in night photography and harsh lighting conditions.
Combined with computational photography enhancements in iOS 19, the iPhone 17’s camera system should feel more responsive and reliable.
The truth is, though, that this is not the first time we hear rumors about a coating that would get rid of the iPhone's infamous light reflections. So, we would take this piece of information with a huge grain of salt.
iPhone 17 and the PhoneArena Camera Score test: Our expectations
Apple’s cameras have consistently performed well in our PhoneArena Camera Score test, but the previous models have been behind some of Samsung's models as far as photo quality goes.
The new 48 MP telephoto camera could change that by delivering higher resolution photos with more detail in them, just like with the main and ultrawide when those got upgraded.
The ability to record 8K video is geared more toward content creators and professionals. While it makes for an impressive announcement feature, it’s not something the average user is likely to take advantage of.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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