iPhone 17 Pro may get a smaller main camera sensor compared to iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro will have a smaller main camera sensor compared to the iPhone 16 Pro models, according to information released by Chinese insider Digital Chat Station on Weibo.
Here's What We Know
This year, Apple is likely to use a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, instead of the 1/1.28" sensor found on the iPhone 16 Pro. This leak also confirms that both iPhone 17 Pro models will have three 48MP cameras for the first time.
Camera sensor specifications are often given in fractions, such as 1/1.3" or 1/1.28". These do not represent the exact physical size of the sensor, but reflect an old measurement system used for video cameras. These fractions indicate the "type" of sensor, where the smaller the number in the fraction, the larger the sensor. Therefore, a 1/1.3" sensor is actually slightly smaller than a 1/1.28" sensor, although the difference is very small.
For example, the 48MP sensor in the regular iPhone 16 is 1/1.56", which makes it even smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro. This means that even with a slight difference, the newer sensor may show slightly better results in certain conditions.
The difference in sensor size shouldn't have a significant impact on everyday photography. Apple may have reduced the sensor size to make room for other improvements to the camera system that will maintain or even improve overall performance.
One reason for this could be the new camera design, which requires more space due to the larger rectangular protrusion. Insiders report that the new camera module will have an elongated oval shape and a smooth transition between the camera protrusion and the back cover, unlike previous models. The official announcement of the iPhone 17 is expected in mid-September 2025.
Source: Digital Chat Station
