How to Use the New Center Stage Front Camera on iPhone 17

Explore this post with:

Key Takeaways:

iPhone 17 gets first square front camera sensor: An 18MP square sensor allows AI-driven Center Stage framing with smooth portrait and landscape switching without losing sharpness.
Center Stage now works in the Camera app: You can activate it for photos or videos, with automatic reframing, rotation, and zoom to keep subjects perfectly aligned.
FaceTime calls use Center Stage by default: The camera tracks movement and expands framing when new people join, making video chats feel more natural and less rigid.
Dual Capture records front and rear views together: Creators can shoot reaction clips or vlogs with both cameras at once, making social media content easier to film.
Content creators should watch for limitations: AI reframing may crop too tightly in crowded frames, and simultaneous capture can drain battery faster during long sessions.

Apple has completely reimagined the selfie experience with the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air. The new front camera now features an 18MP square sensor and a smart feature called Center Stage, designed to make group selfies effortless and keep you perfectly framed during video calls, with no need to move the phone yourself. Instead of tilting or rotating, the camera does it all, zooming, reframing, and rotating automatically.

It works across FaceTime, third-party video call apps, selfies, and even vlogs. What makes it stand out is how natural it feels. You can move, change angles, or bring friends into the shot, and the camera smoothly adapts in real time — almost like it knows what you want.

Table of Contents

What Makes the New iPhone 17 Camera Different
How to Use Center Stage for Photos and Videos
How to Use Center Stage for Video Calls
Extra Perks for Creators
Final Thoughts

What Makes the New iPhone 17 Camera Different

The big shift comes from the square sensor design. Unlike older 4:3 sensors, the square shape gives extra room around the edges, letting Center Stage crop and adjust without losing too much detail. This also means you can switch between portrait and landscape instantly — no awkward wrist twisting.

Apple’s AI handles the rest: tight framing when you’re solo, wide angles when friends join in.

FaceTime Like a Pro:

Get our exclusive Ultimate FaceTime Guide 📚 — absolutely FREE when you sign up for our newsletter below.

Resolution also gets a major boost. The iPhone 17’s 18MP front camera outpaces the iPhone 16’s 12MP shooter. Even after cropping to 16:9, square, or portrait modes, photos stay crisp with rich detail.

How to Use Center Stage for Photos and Videos

Getting started is simple, and you don’t need to be a pro to use it:

Open the Camera app.
Tap the circular arrows icon to switch to the front camera.
Look for the Center Stage button above the viewfinder. If it’s yellow, it’s already active.
Line up your shot. The camera will rotate and zoom automatically depending on the scene.
Tap the shutter button to capture your photo or video.

You can also control things manually:

Tap the orientation icon to force portrait or landscape.
Use the zoom arrows to adjust the field of view yourself.
If you disable auto‑zoom or auto‑rotate from the Center Stage menu, the camera will stop adjusting on its own until you turn them back on.

Note Once you use manual zoom, Center Stage switches off. To reactivate, relaunch the Camera app and re-enable it.

How to Use Center Stage for Video Calls

On FaceTime, Center Stage is enabled by default. The camera pans and zooms to follow your movement and expands smoothly when friends enter the frame. It feels as seamless as on iPads and Macs, but now it’s built into the iPhone 17.

Prefer a fixed angle? You can easily turn Center Stage off under Camera Effects during a call.

Extra Perks for Creators

Apple also added a Dual Capture mode on the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air:

Record with the front and back cameras at the same time.
Film your reaction while showing what’s happening around you.
Great for unboxings, demo videos, travel vlogs, or social clips.
Works alongside Center Stage, turning the iPhone 17 into a serious tool for creators.

Final Thoughts

The new Center Stage front camera on iPhone 17 isn’t just another upgrade — it changes how you capture and share moments. With smarter framing, higher resolution, and creator-friendly features, you spend less time adjusting and more time in the shot.

Whether you’re hopping on Zoom, snapping group selfies, or recording your next viral clip, the iPhone 17 makes sure you stay in the spotlight.

Related articles worth reading:

Explore this post with:

ChatGPT Perplexity Grok Google AI