In today’s world of selfies and short videos, front cameras are more important than ever, and Apple has just become the leader. According to DxOMark’s newest results, the iPhone 17 Pro has taken the top spot for selfie performance, beating strong competitors from Honor and Google.
The main secret is a new square-sensor front camera that completely changes the way you take selfies.
All iPhone 17 models, from the standard version to the Pro Max, receive a major upgrade this year with an 18MP f/1.9 front camera that features a distinctive square sensor.
It replaces the previous 12MP camera from the iPhone 16 Pro and brings a feature never seen before on a smartphone: the ability to switch between portrait and landscape modes without turning the phone. This clever addition is designed for creators who need both vertical and horizontal framing for their social media content.
The Selfie Era and Apple’s New Crown
DxOMark awarded the iPhone 17 Pro an impressive 154 points, putting it ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro and the Honor Magic6 Pro, which both scored 151.
The iPhone 15 Pro came next with 149 points, followed by Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL, which scored 148.
A three-point increase might seem minor, but it’s enough to put Apple at the top of the global selfie rankings.
Hardware and Processing: The Secret Sauce
The upgrades come from better hardware and image processing, giving the front camera improved exposure, dynamic range, and color accuracy, with Apple’s signature warm skin tones.
The slightly wider 20mm focal length, compared to 23mm on last year’s Pro, also makes it easier to fit more people into the frame without causing distortion.
That said, it’s not flawless. Low-light selfies still have a bit of noise, and quick movement can affect stabilization. However, these are minor compromises in what is otherwise a big step forward.
For anyone who spends time in front of the camera whether they’re vloggers, streamers, or just people who love taking selfies the iPhone 17 Pro feels like a real step forward.
Apple didn’t just increase the megapixels; it redesigned how the front camera functions, and this time, the innovation truly shows in the results.