iPhone 17 Pro Main Camera Sensor 'Smaller' Than iPhone 16 Pro Sensor

This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a smaller main camera sensor than the one used in the Fusion camera currently found in iPhone 16 Pro models, according to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station.

iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1
The Chinese leaker claims that Apple will adopt a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, down from the 1/1.28" sensor used in the iPhone 16 Pro models. The claim is part of a wider leak allegedly revealing that both iPhone 17 Pro models will have three 48MP cameras for the first time.

The sensor size notation originates from an old system used for video camera tubes, where the fraction represents the sensor's "type" rather than its actual physical dimensions. That's why a 1/1.3" sensor is slightly smaller than a 1/1.28" sensor. (For comparison's sake, the 48MP Fusion camera on the standard iPhone 16 model uses a smaller 1/1.56" sensor.)

The difference however is minimal, with the existing 1/1.28" sensor offering a marginally larger surface area than a 1/1.3" sensor. In practical terms, this size difference is unlikely to result in a noticeable impact on everyday photography. Apple's shift to using a smaller main camera could represent a worthwhile trade-off, with potential advancements elsewhere in the camera system to maintain or enhance overall performance.

If the downgrade is true, Apple's shift from 1/1.28" to 1/1.3" could be due to space constraints caused by the rumored new camera bump design. As part of a return to using aluminum, Apple is believed to be using a larger rectangular-style camera bump on the iPhone 17 Pro models that is made from aluminum rather than glass.

Supply chain leaks have backed up a report by The Information about a camera design change. Leaks coming out of China suggest that the module is an "elongated oval shape," rather than a rectangular shape, with a smoother transition between the camera bump and the rear cover. The iPhone 17 series is expected to arrive around the usual mid-September time frame.

Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

Paapaa Avatar
10 months ago

Is that an upgrade or a downgrade?
It's an downgrade in terms of sensor size, but an upgrade in terms of sensor size.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FloridaScrubJay Avatar
10 months ago
Downgrade.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
10 months ago

In this system, a 1/1.3" sensor is slightly smaller than a 1/1.28" sensor, despite the denominator being larger.
Why "despite"? Of course the value of a fraction is smaller when the denominator is larger. This is like saying "surprisingly, in this system, 1/2 mile is longer than 1/3 mile, despite 2 being smaller than 3". That's not "in this system", it's how fractions work.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
10 months ago

90% of these cameras are only used for ducklipped pouting females to take selfies in bathroom mirrors so it's not much of an issue I don't think. Anyone truly into photography (including the higher-class of females) has a DSLR or mirrorless with much bigger sensors, which in turn means the lenses can be made bigger, and as a result the fisheye-distortion and pincushioining is much better than on a phone. You can always tell photos taken on a phone from a mile way, especially with structures with vertical sides, like buildings. Buildings at the frame edges look like they should be structurally condemned, especially with the wide-angle lens.
I have several dSLRs and some film cameras as well, and a backpack full of matching lenses.

I use my iPhone 99% of the time because that’s the camera I have with me.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9081094 Avatar
10 months ago

Huh ? That doesn’t make sense.
It’s the same logic Apple uses… there is no logic only when you follow the money ?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stenik Avatar
10 months ago
Is that an upgrade or a downgrade?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)