Each year, Apple introduces significant upgrades to the iPhone’s camera system. This year, the changes are truly remarkable, especially if you look closely at the details. With Diwali only a few blinks away, there couldn’t be a better time to put the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max to the test.

What makes these phones stand out are the new, higher-resolution sensors on both the front and back — the equivalent of carrying eight professional lenses in your pocket. Three 48MP Fusion cameras now deliver sharper, more detailed images. The all-new 48MP telephoto camera features a tetraprism design and a sensor that’s 56 per cent larger than before, improving sharpness in bright light while capturing richer detail in darker scenes.

The new 4x optical zoom at 100mm provides a classic portrait lens effect, while the 8x optical zoom at 200mm — the longest ever on an iPhone — gives you incredible reach for distant subjects.

At the heart of it all lies the A19 Pro chip, ensuring every camera performs flawlessly. It features a six-core CPU (two performance and four efficiency cores), a six-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine — more than capable of managing the complex image pipeline. The updated Photonic Engine uses advanced machine learning to preserve natural detail, reduce noise, and deliver more accurate colour reproduction.

And yes, that 8x optical zoom deserves to be mentioned again. It’s a game-changer — and if that’s not enough, you can push further with up to 40x digital zoom for photos.

A square sensor and smarter selfies

One of the biggest camera upgrades this year is the front-facing camera, which can now shoot 4K video at 60fps. Every iPhone 17 model — from the base version to the Pro Max — benefits from this same high-quality selfie camera. It features a unique square sensor, a first in the industry.

The advantage? You can capture vertical or horizontal photos and videos without rotating the phone — perfect for creators who switch formats frequently.

Expert tips

We asked ace photographer Joshua Karthik for his take on shooting with the iPhone 17 Pro. “There’s nothing better than the all-new Center Stage front camera for selfies this year. For both photo and video, the all-new 18MP maximum resolution is a clear leap ahead. I’ve found that the much wider (20mm) field of view accommodates a lot more of my favourite people in the frame,” says Joshua. “Technical details like the square sensor and the AI-assisted Center Stage sound complicated, but the impact they have on your selfie photos and videos is readily apparent and clearly perceptible. This works on all iPhones 17, from the base to the Air to the Pro and the Max.”

Joshua also recommends trying Dual Capture mode — a clever video feature that records your subject using the rear cameras while simultaneously overlaying a view of you from the front camera. “It’s a brilliant way to capture the moment and still be part of it. Try it... you’ll love it,” he says.

Photographer Porus Vimadalal suggests adjustments to exposure, contrast, shadows and warmth to create more natural tones

Go 8x: A leap in detail

On the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple has made two standout improvements. First, all the cameras now boast 48MP resolution. Second, the telephoto camera supports up to 8x optical zoom.

What does that mean for your Diwali shots? “Simply put,” says Joshua, “you’ll capture far more detail. Whether you’re photographing a grand Diwali setup with the ultra-wide, portraits with the main 1x lens, or shooting a scene further away with the new 4x telephoto, all your photos can now be shot in 48MP resolution. More detail, and photos that can be cropped any way you like it without losing detail.”

The telephoto system on the Pro Max is equally impressive. “Sharp, clean telephoto images going from 100mm equivalent all the way to 200mm equivalent. Want to shoot diyas on the terrace? Want to frame something interesting from across the room? Want to capture a sweet moment between your loved ones? The new telephoto lens and camera are so good at doing all this and more. Also, the sensor is over 50 per cent larger than it was last year, so low light performance is improved too.”

He also suggests experimenting with the ‘Bright’ photographic style, available via the camera interface in iOS 26.

Video gets a boost

Apple continues to lead the industry in video innovation, and this year’s upgrades take things even further. The iPhone already supports Dolby Vision HDR, 4K at 120fps, ProRes Log, and ACES colour management.

Now, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max push the boundaries again — they’re the first smartphones to support ProRes RAW, Log 2, and genlock technology. Genlock enables precise video synchronisation across multiple cameras — a feature typically reserved for professional film setups.

The new Blackmagic Design Camera ProDock supports genlock, while ProRes RAW is compatible with Final Cut Camera and Blackmagic Camera, with APIs available for developers. Together, these tools open up a whole new level of professional video production — right from your iPhone.

This Diwali, whether you’re capturing the glow of diyas, the laughter of friends, or the sparkle of fireworks, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are ready to deliver. From their cutting-edge cameras and smarter AI processing to cinema-grade video capabilities, they’re designed to make every frame — and every festive memory — shine brighter than ever.

Mathures Paul

Suggestions from photographer Porus Vimadalal

Zoom in to 2x or 4x for portraits. It naturally compresses the background and makes faces look more proportionally realistic and less distorted.

Tap to focus, then pull exposure down a notch. Especially in bright settings, lowering exposure will add subtle highlights and give you that cinematic look. You can always adjust it later while editing based on your preference.

Place your subject at an angle to your light source. Around 45 degrees gives beautiful directional lighting and depth in your image, perfect for moody images.

For night shots, staying steady is everything. Use Night Mode and try to rest your phone on something stable (or a mini tripod) for sharper, less grainy images.

Go easy on filters. Using subtle, manual tweaks go a long way. Adjust the exposure, contrast, shadows and warmth to create more natural tones.