iPhone 17 Pro Camera Wishlist Key Upgrades

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max currently sit at the top of many lists for the best camera phones. Yet, despite their prowess, there is always potential for further enhancements.

These devices excel at capturing sharp details and natural colors across their various lenses, but certain areas could still see improvement. This means there is plenty we are hoping to see from the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Below, we outline five camera upgrades we would most like to see. These are not all necessarily rumored features (though some are), but they represent changes that could significantly boost Apple’s already impressive smartphone camera technology.

The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

1. More Megapixels for the Periscope Camera

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

With the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple upgraded the ultra-wide cameras to 48MP sensors, a notable jump from the 12MP sensors on previous models. However, the periscope cameras were kept at 12MP.

Considering these phones also feature 48MP main sensors, the 12MP periscope sensors feel somewhat mismatched and could certainly benefit from a higher megapixel count. Therefore, we would like to see them boosted, ideally to 48MP or even higher, on the iPhone 17 Pro series.

This particular wish appears to have a good chance of becoming reality. Multiple sources have suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature 48MP periscope cameras.

2. A Variable Zoom or an Extra Zoom Lens

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Another improvement we desire for the zoom lens is the capability to optically zoom to multiple different distances. This could be achieved either with a single lens that can mechanically adjust between zoom levels or by incorporating an additional telephoto camera, similar to what is found on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Currently, this feature has not been rumored, so we are not necessarily expecting it. However, it would be a fantastic addition if the iPhone 17 Pro series could offer something like a 10x optical zoom, in addition to the shorter distance 5x zoom found on current models.

Paired with the 2x optical-quality shots already achievable with the main camera, this would provide users with a comprehensive range of focal lengths.

3. Better AI Editing Tools

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

At present, Apple’s AI capabilities seem to lag behind some rivals. Apple Intelligence has not yet fully lived up to its ambitious name, and this is particularly evident in AI photo editing tools.

We compared the Clean Up tool in Apple Intelligence against similar Samsung Galaxy AI features, and the results were clear. While Galaxy AI can impressively handle major image edits, especially removing unwanted elements, the Clean Up tool often left photos looking messier than they began.

Therefore, with the iPhone 17 Pro series, we would love to see substantial improvements to Apple’s AI photo editing capabilities.

This improvement likely depends more on software updates than hardware, though the additional processing power of the iPhone 17 Pro probably wouldn’t hurt. On the software front, we are not overly optimistic that these phones will launch with dramatically improved AI, as Apple’s next major software event is reportedly set to be a letdown for AI. However, perhaps by next year, Apple will begin to compete more strongly in this area.

4. Larger Sensors for Enhanced Quality

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

While more megapixels are desirable, as mentioned earlier for one of the iPhone 17 Pro’s cameras, megapixels are only one part of the equation. Arguably more important is the size of the sensor itself. A larger sensor can significantly improve image quality and capture more light, leading to better photos, especially in low-light conditions.

Consequently, we would like to see bigger sensors utilized on any, or ideally all, of the cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

However, no reports so far suggest this will happen. In fact, somewhat surprisingly, we have heard that the main camera on the iPhone 17 Pro series might actually feature a smaller sensor than on current models. This would seem like an odd decision, and we certainly hope a sensor size decrease will not occur.

5. An Upgraded Front Facing Camera

The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Besides the periscope camera, the front-facing camera on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max also feels a bit lacking.

This camera is also just 12MP, and it has not received an upgrade since the iPhone 14 Pro, where the changes were minimal anyway. In fact, there has not been an increase in megapixels for the front camera since the iPhone 11 Pro. So, we would genuinely like to see an increase in megapixels for the iPhone 17 Pro series.

Fortunately, it appears we may well get one. Leaks suggest that the entire iPhone 17 series will feature 24MP front-facing cameras.

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