iPhone 17 Camera: The iPhone 16 Pro already takes some stunning shots, but let’s be real, Apple can do better. The competition is fierce—Galaxy S24 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro, Xiaomi 14 Ultra—these phones are nailing it. As a phone reviewer and photographer, I expect more from Apple’s next camera setup. So, here’s what I’d like to see on the iPhone 17 when it launches in 2025.
Table of Contents
Larger Image Sensor
The iPhone 16 Pro has a solid 1/1.28-inch sensor, but I want Apple to go bigger. A larger sensor can capture more light, improving dynamic range and overall image quality. Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra is already ahead with its 1-inch sensor, which makes a big difference in low-light conditions and dynamic shots. It’d be awesome to see Apple at least match that. Heck, let’s dream big—how about a full-frame sensor? It’s a stretch, but a phone with that kind of sensor would be next-level.
Variable Aperture
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a variable aperture, which is a game-changer for low-light and creative shots. It can open up to f/1.6 for amazing bokeh and close to f/4 for sharp, starburst effects. The iPhone 16 Pro’s f/1.78 aperture is fine, but it doesn’t compare in versatility. Apple could bring that to the iPhone 17 to step up its photography game, especially for those night shots and artsy bokeh effects.
More Photographic Styles
Apple’s Photographic Styles are a great start, but we need more. The Amber and Gold tones are nice, but I’d love to see more options—think vintage film stock looks, like Kodak or Fujifilm tones. It’d be great to have more styles to work with, allowing users to create the exact vibe they want straight from the camera, without having to rely on third-party apps like VSCO.
Better ProRaw Integration
ProRaw is awesome for editing and getting the most out of your photos, but Apple missed a trick with Photographic Styles. Right now, you can’t use styles like Amber or Gold when shooting in ProRaw. Why? I love shooting in ProRaw because it gives me more editing freedom, but I miss the ability to apply those styles directly. Apple should integrate these styles with ProRaw so we can have the best of both worlds—raw files and great presets for quick edits.
LUTs for ProRes Video
ProRes video on the iPhone is fantastic for creators, but it needs more color control. Right now, the ProRes footage looks flat, which is perfect for professional editing, but it’s not ideal for casual users. Apple should add LUTs (color presets) to the iPhone 17, so we can apply some quick, pro-level color grading directly on the phone. This would make sharing ungraded video files way more appealing—imagine posting polished, colorful footage straight to Instagram.
If Apple were to add all of these features (minus, maybe, the full-frame sensor), the iPhone 17 would truly be a powerhouse camera phone. Let’s hope they’re listening!
