Apple iPhone 17 Pro Vs iPhone 16 Pro: Selfies To Sensors, Photography Redefined?

Apple is set to redefine smartphone photography once again with the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, which is expected to introduce major camera improvements over its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro. An entirely new iPhone 17 Pro camera layout as well as upgraded sensors are likely to elevate mobile imaging to new heights. The Pro smartphones are already considered professional grade imaging handsets and this will only add to the benefits users will derive from them.

Here's a look at a few improvements expected in the iPhone 17 Pro camera.

Apple is expected to upgrade all three rear cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro to 48MP sensors. Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro, which features a 12MP telephoto lens, the new model will ensure consistent high-resolution imaging across its main, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. This will lead to sharper images, improved low-light performance and greater clarity.

Apple is reportedly replacing the 12MP telephoto lens with a 48MP Tetraprism camera, significantly improving zoom quality and image stabilisation. The redesigned prism system will also contribute to a sleeker camera bump, ensuring a more refined aesthetic.

For selfie enthusiasts, iPhone 17 Pro is expected to feature a 24MP front camera — doubling the resolution of the iPhone 16 Pro’s 12MP sensor. This upgrade will help in clicking sharper selfies and better portraits. It will also offer superior low-light performance, making front-facing photography much better.

A new rectangular camera module is likely to debut with the iPhone 17 Pro, featuring an aluminium finish. The three lenses would most likely be arranged on the left, while the LiDAR scanner, LED flash and microphone will be positioned on the right. This change will not only improve the design but also the symmetry and balance of the device’s rear panel.

One major addition to the iPhone 17 Pro camera system could be a mechanical aperture, offering users manual control over light intake. Unlike previous iPhones with fixed apertures, this feature will allow for adjustments in depth of field, background blur and exposure.

While Apple is reportedly reducing the main camera sensor size slightly from 1/1.28 inch to 1/1.3 inch, it is expected to compensate with advanced computational photography and AI-driven image processing. This ensures that despite the smaller sensor, image quality remains top-tier, with improved dynamic range and noise reduction.

With these likely upgrades, the iPhone 17 Pro camera could shape up to be a game-changer for mobile photography.