iPhone 17 tipped for a major upgrade in an unexpected area

This would certainly be an interesting upgrade

iPhone 16 in ultramarine
(Image credit: Future)
Quick Summary

The new iPhone 17 range could have an unusual upgrade.

That comes from a respected source, and should be good news for photographers.

The cycle of new iPhone releases is one of the most relentless out there. No sooner has a new model family been unveiled than the rumour mill starts churning once more.

Still, it's not the only surprise addition. According to the latest rumours, all four models in the iPhone 17 collection could come with a 24-megapixel camera on the front. The news comes renowned analyst Jeff Pu (shared by 9to5Mac).

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If it proves true, that would be a seismic change for the devices. Each of the current crop makes use of a 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front, which means the resolution would be doubled for the next-gen handsets.

iPhone 16 in ultramarine

(Image credit: Future)

The report doesn't delve into any more detail about the new sensor, though it's fair to assume it would be almost entirely used to offer superior resolution. Apple has used higher-resolution sensors on the rear of its handsets to offer a digital crop zoom which retains sufficient detail, but that seems fairly useless on a front-facing camera.

Still, it does make some sense. These days – with the rise of platforms like TikTok – front-facing cameras are more important than ever, with many documenting their lives through the selfie lens. That added resolution should do a lot to sure up the iPhones status as a go-to handset for content creators and influencers.

With around six months to go before we'd expect to see the new range, there's still time for even more rumours and leaks to emerge. Still, based on what we know so far, it's clear that the iPhone 17 range could go down as one of the biggest turning points in Apple history.

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.

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