Apple’s newest iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone Pro models contain an advanced 18-megapixel camera with a square sensor on the front. This enables users to make better selfies, even with little light and now also supports the Center Stage function.
This function offers a wider field of vision and automatically adjusts the frame, so that everyone stays in good picture, even with group selfies. This function, with the name Midduntpunt, was only available on Macs and iPads until recently.
18 megapixel camera with square sensor
In the iPhone 17, the front camera resolution is raised from 12 to 18 megapixels compared to older models. This makes photos more detailed and selfies become sharper.
The sensor is square for the first time instead of the usual 4: 3 format. Thanks to the jump from 12 to 18 megapixels, the sensor is now about twice as large as that of previous front cameras. This results in a wider image angle, so that users no longer have to run the iPhone for wider selfies or recording recordings.
Center Stage front camera
The Center Stage Front camera is a smart Apple function that uses machine learning and an ultra-wide angle lens to always keep you in the middle of the image during video recordings or video calls, without having to move the device.
Thanks to the square sensor, the camera can automatically adjust the viewing angle and switch between portrait and landscape mode without turning the phone. As a result, the user always remains visible in the image, which ensures a smooth experience, even if you move or when other people are added. This function offers a dynamic and more natural experience at Facetime or other video apps.
Automatic center function
You can keep your iPhone upright and yet make both standing and lying photos and videos, resulting in a better grip and better visibility of the recorded image. With group photos, the center function ensures that everyone comes into the picture with the help of AI and switches to a lying format if necessary.
4K Dual Capture recordings
In addition, the Center Stage Camera of the iPhone 17 4K HDR video can record with excellent stability and offers the possibility to film at the same time as both the front and rear camera (Dual Capture). This is especially useful to record both yourself and your environment at the same time.
Other front camera improvements
In addition to the Center Stage function, the front camera of the iPhone 17 also has autofocus based on focus pixels and the Retina Flash.
Autofocus with focus pixels
Autofocus with focus pixels is an advanced system for focusing where specific pixels are used on the camera sensor to focus quickly and precisely. As a result, the camera automatically focuses the correct part of a photo, even with movement or changing lighting conditions. Focus pixels accelerate finding the right focus distance, which leads to sharper and brighter photos and videos.
Retina Flash
Retina Flash is a flash function in which the screen of the iPhone briefly lights up at high intensity for better exposure of the subject in photos, especially selfies in low light situations. Instead of a traditional flash, the light comes from the screen, which ensures a more natural and brighter lighting of faces.