There have been fairly a number of rumors in regards to the iPhone 17 Professional’s digicam system, many months earlier than Apple really introduces the brand new iPhone technology. Here is all the pieces the rumor mill has mentioned in regards to the imaging parts.
The digicam system is among the large promoting factors of the iPhone vary. Continuously used within the Shot on iPhone marketing campaign, it has been demonstrated to be an vital cause for a lot of to make a brand new mannequin their subsequent buy.
Every year, Apple works to enhance what’s on provide, be it bodily adjustments to the digicam or computational pictures tweaks. It seems that it will likely be no completely different for 2025, if rumors are to be believed.
Here is what has been speculated in regards to the cameras used within the iPhones popping out in September.
Digicam bump
Arguably one of the impactful and doubtlessly divisive adjustments to the iPhone 17’s digicam is the bump. For the iPhone 16, Apple switched away from the sq. bump for a extra slimline method, whereas retaining it for the Professional fashions, however issues might change much more for the iPhone 17 technology.
Early rumors of a digicam bump change emerged in December from the Weibo leaker “Digital Chat Station.” Supposedly primarily based on provide chain supplies, and showing concurrently a picture shared by “Jukanlosreve” on X, the digicam bump would lengthen throughout the whole width of the iPhone.
Within the preparations shared on the time, this consisted of a bar model of bump, with the cameras organized in a row.
An preliminary bar bump rumor – Picture Credit score: Digital Chat Station/Weibo
Nonetheless, inside a number of days, one other Weibo leaker generally known as “Prompt Digital” mentioned that the cameras could be redesigned, however it could nonetheless retain the triangular association.
This did not cease rumors of a wider than standard digicam bump from circulating. On February 14, Jon Prosser shared a video with renders of an iPhone 17 Professional Max design, full with a full-width digicam bump.
A second digicam bump interpretation – Picture Credit score: Jon Prosser/Asher Dipprey
Prosser’s iteration did not change the triangular digicam configuration, nor their place, however made the bump be the identical top as earlier than, however a lot wider. Parts just like the flash and the LiDAR sensor have been positioned to the far proper of the bump.
It appeared that the render was primarily based on an alleged CAD picture shared by serial leaker “Majin Bu” on January 24. Prosser’s 3D artist, Asher Dipprey, shared extra renders of the supposed design with an easier-to-digest gentle background, however that did not make the bump any simpler to abdomen.
By February 23, Sonny Dickson shared photos of an iPhone in a case, that used the identical huge digicam bump design. Whereas Dickson did not establish the supply, the outstanding that includes of the case most likely means it got here from an adjunct maker.
A case-covered bump leak – Picture Credit score: Sonny Dickson/X
Relying in your interpretation of the pictures, it might additionally signify the huge digicam bump being break up into two sections, with the flash and LiDAR in their very own “island” bump.
Whereas it might really feel a little bit extra plausible that the design is on the best way due to the case producer’s render, that is not appropriate. Third-party accent makers do not get details about prerelease gadgets from Apple besides in very particular circumstances, so the render might be primarily based off spread-around rumors.
New Rear (and entrance) Resolutions
Apart from bodily adjustments to the design, Apple might make some sensor alterations. One very believable change it might make is to resolutions.
For the rear, the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max had 48-megapixel Fusion and Extremely Vast cameras, whereas the Telephoto remained as a 12MP shooter.
In July 2024, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote that there could be an improved tetraprism lens on the Professional Max mannequin, to enhance each the zoom and photograph high quality. This may additionally contain an improve of the sensor from a 1/3.1-inch 12MP Compact Picture Sensor to a .6-inch 48MP CIS.
The Dynamic Island hides the TrueDepth digicam
This was echoed months later, on January 10, by rumor account “Digital Chat Station.” It insisted that every one three cameras on the Professional fashions
The sensor change is not simply restricted to the rear cameras, because the entrance TrueDepth digicam array can be anticipated to get an improve.
In August 24, Haitong Securities analyst Jeff Pu insisted that there would even be a sensor decision enchancment on the entrance, with using a 24MP digicam with a six-element lens. The model at the moment used within the iPhone 16 Professional’s TrueDepth is a 12-megapixel sensor utilizing a five-element lens.
On the time, Pu added that the improve will not have an effect on simply the Professional fashions, with the usual iPhone 17 additionally set to get the higher sensor.
Once more, in its January claims, “Digital Chat Station” additionally reiterated the 24MP sensor improve to the TrueDepth digicam array.
An even bigger video push
Whereas not essentially a tangible specification, there was one other level of debate when it got here to cameras. Apple might be making extra of a push for video.
Apple already has a appreciable video system in place, with options corresponding to 4K footage recorded in ProRES, and with Apple LOG serving to filmmakers seize and color-correct footage within the edit.
On February 23, Mark Gurman wrote for Bloomberg that Apple had been centered extra closely on photographic capabilities for its iPhone line. For 2025, Gurman believes it should stress its enhancements in video recording.
An obvious objective for the 2025 iPhone releases is to tempt vloggers and video creators to maneuver in the direction of recording with their iPhone extra, as a substitute of utilizing standalone cameras. It will apparently take the type of Apple touting the capabilities throughout its September launch occasion.
