The latest iPhone 17 Pro model features a major front camera upgrade that you may have missed noticing. It replaces the 12MP front sensor from the iPhone 16 Pro with a completely new 18MP f/1.9 lens that uses an innovative square sensor. Interestingly, this is a first in the smartphone industry.
Now, thanks to this upgrade, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro has set a new benchmark for smartphone selfies. The phone has topped DxOMark’s front camera leaderboard with an impressive 154-point score. Here’s the full story.
While the iPhone 16 Pro used a 12MP f/1.9 front camera with a 1/3.6-inch sensor, the new iPhone 17 Pro introduces a larger 18MP f/1.9 square sensor, offering unique framing flexibility. This new design allows users to switch seamlessly between square, portrait, and landscape photos without physically rotating the device, a convenience unmatched by any current competitor.
In DxOMark’s detailed review, the iPhone 17 Pro achieved 154 points, earning the top spot in the global selfie camera rankings. It outperformed the iPhone 16 Pro and Honor Magic6 Pro, both of which scored 151 points, followed by the iPhone 15 Pro (149 points) and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (148 points).
According to the analysis, the iPhone 17 Pro excels in exposure accuracy, wide dynamic range, and colour reproduction. Skin tones can occasionally appear slightly warmer. But overall, images look natural and vibrant. The 20mm focal length also makes it easier to capture larger group selfies compared to the 23mm lens of its predecessor.
Despite not featuring a variable aperture, the camera maintains a solid depth of field, keeping both foreground and background subjects equally sharp. DxOMark also highlights Apple’s precise bokeh effect, which benefits from the Face ID depth-sensing module, giving portraits a natural separation between subject and background.
While the iPhone 17 Pro delivers outstanding overall performance, DxOMark notes that the smaller sensor size still results in visible image noise under low-light conditions. Additionally, video stabilisation could be more refined, something noticeable in sample test footage.
Here’s a quick video recording test from the front sensor of iPhone 17 Pro.
In its report, DxOMark stated, “The Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers an outstanding performance in the DxOMark Selfie tests and takes the top spot in our smartphone front camera ranking. This improvement is driven by a redesigned 18MP Center Stage front camera, featuring the first square image sensor on an iPhone camera. The hardware changes are combined with refined image processing algorithms for a well-rounded and consistent selfie shooting experience in both photo and video modes.”
Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro features an 18MP f/1.9 front camera with a square sensor, an industry-first design that allows seamless switching between square, portrait, and landscape framing.
Answer. It scored 154 points, topping DxOMark’s global selfie rankings by outperforming the iPhone 16 Pro, Honor Magic6 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL in exposure, color, and dynamic range.
Answer. Yes, DxOMark notes visible image noise in low-light conditions and room for improvement in video stabilization, despite its overall excellent performance.
Highlights Oppo Reno15 Pro Mini now comes in Crystal Pink, sale starting from Feb 1…
Highlights Vivo V70 Elite features Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, while the standard V70 runs on…
Highlights Redmi Buds 8 Pro now available in China with a coaxial triple-driver setup. It…
Highlights Samsung India has announced that its recent photography initiative, the “India #WithGalaxy” challenge, has…
Highlights Nu Republic® has launched a limited-edition Valentine’s Day audio collection, ‘Pop Love’, exclusively in…
Highlights Pixel Buds 2a are expected to debut in new shades, including a striking “Berry”…
This website uses cookies.