Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.


"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air have the same Center Stage front camera with this functionality.

Apple provided more details in its iPhone 17 press releases last year:

Users no longer have to rotate their iPhone to take a landscape selfie — they can now take photos and videos in portrait or landscape while holding their iPhone vertically, enabling a more comfortable, secure grip and centred gaze. For group shots, Center Stage for photos uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame.

All four of the latest iPhone models are equipped with an 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera with a square image sensor.

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

Popular Stories

apple safari privacy ad

Apple's New Ad Pitches Safari as a More Private Alternative to Chrome

Thursday June 4, 2026 4:24 am PDT by
Apple has published a new ad to appeal to customers who prioritize privacy when browsing, suggesting that Safari is the one you should use if you want to "Keep data trackers off your back." In a new Privacy on iPhone segment titled "Safari helps block data trackers," the ad shows users of rival phones in everyday situations having to live with data trackers as they browse. The trackers are...
airpods pro 3 video ad

Apple Touts 'World's Best' AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancellation in New Vini Jr. Ad

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:25 am PDT by
Apple today shared a new ad highlighting AirPods Pro 3 Active Noise Cancellation. The ad stars Vini Jr., a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, and it arrives as the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway. In the spot, Vini Jr. dances through the streets to music only he can hear. Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak shared the video on social ...
apple world surf league video

Apple Shares Video on How Pro Surfers Use Apple Watch During Competition

Tuesday June 23, 2026 9:57 am PDT by
Apple today shared a video showing off the Apple Watch in use at the World Surf League Championship Tour, with surfers describing how they use the watch when competing. Surfers can be hundreds of meters away from the beach during competitions and can't hear announcements over the sound of the water and the wind. The World Surf League has adopted the Apple Watch to solve the problem, linking...

Top Rated Comments

Mr_Ed Avatar
21 weeks ago
If this truly constitutes a “key reason to upgrade”, it also points out there is little reason to do so for most people 🤷‍♂️
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fathergll Avatar
21 weeks ago
Is this the peak of human civilization?

Attachment Image
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago
Yeah no
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr_Ed Avatar
21 weeks ago

The fact that some people are mocking this in the comments is a strong indicator of how disconnected they are from what users want/like.
On the contrary. We are fully aware. Just not particularly excited about the rampant narcissism it (combined with social media) represents.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago
If this is "innovation" and "marketing", Apple is doomed.
I hate the no-rotate on my 17 Pro. I still rotate it because of how my arm is designed.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago

cause older iPhone CPUs don't have enough power to auto rotate, gate keeping features to the latest iPhone, remember to upgrade!
the sensor is different
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)