The iPhone front camera should get an upgrade – but there's a catch

Rumours suggest the selfie snapper will get a big boost in the future

Apple iPhone 15 Pro
(Image credit: Future)

One thing we've seen consistently upgraded on the best iPhones in recent years in the camera. The quality of both the hardware and software has been improved, enabling users to capture significantly better images than previous models.

That's perhaps best seen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The latest flagship from the brand features a superb camera array, with the highlight being a 120mm periscope telephoto lens which offers staggering zoomed shots.

One thing that has lagged behind slightly is the front camera, though. That's something which has become more and more crucial in the modern age, with platforms like TikTok using a front-facing setup.

Latest Videos From

Fortunately, a change could be on the horizon – but don't expect an overnight change. The rumour comes from respected tech analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared the information on their Medium blog.

According to Kuo, the upgrade will see the current 12MP lens with a 5P construction replaced with a 24MP lens with a 6P construction. If you aren't aware, the 5P and 6P refer to the number of plastic layers in the lens itself, with a higher number generally considered to be better.

So, when can we expect to see this upgrade implemented? The iPhone 16 range later this year? Err, no. Kuo actually suggests that the upgrade is set for the iPhone 17 range, which we'd expect to see towards the tail end of 2025.

That could be quite frustrating for fans. As one of the areas which could do with some improvement, many may have hoped to see it on devices sooner.

Still, it's nice to see it come in at all. We'll certainly be keeping our eyes peeled for further updates and more information – though there may well be a long time to wait.

Sam Cross
Senior Staff Writer

Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.

Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.

He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.

Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.