iPhone 17 Pro front camera's 1:1 square photos show lower resolution than expected

When I choose the 1:1 aspect ratio with the iPhone 17 Pro front camera, the EXIF data shows only ~13 MP (3672×3672, ~2.5 MB) instead of the advertised 18 MP. Interestingly, non-1:1 photos (vertical or horizontal at the widest option) both show the full 18 MP. Why does square reduce resolution, and is there a way to capture a full 18 MP square image from the square sensor? If not, why not?

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: iPhone 17 Pro front camera 1:1 square photos show 13 MP (3672×3672) instead of full 18 MP from new Square Sensor

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 1:00 PM

Top-ranking reply

random_notrandom Author

Level 1

6 points

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 2:54 PM

Update:

Apple Support conducted multiple screen shares with me, first collecting screen recordings and then escalating my case to a Senior Advisor. The Senior Advisor connected me with another specialist (assuming Level 3 support), who also did a screen share, gathered additional information, and performed tests.

They confirmed that when using the 1:1 Aspect Ratio mode, the iPhone performs a center crop of the 18 MP sensor, which results in a 13 MP image file. According to them, in the current iOS version, this is by design. The front-facing 18 MP sensor can only capture full 18 MP images in Wide or Vertical mode... not in Square. They suggested that a future iOS update may introduce a true full 18Mp resolution square capture option that uses the full sensor without center cropping.

Finally, they recommended submitting feedback at apple.com/feedback.

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20 replies

Sep 23, 2025 2:28 PM in response to LD150

The HEIF surely compresses the image otherwise it would not be a High Efficiency format? Images are frequently lower resolution than the sensor’s.

@LD150 Maybe that could be the case; however if a picture is taken both wide or vertical; both images show EXIF of 18Mp. It is only when changing it to square (1:1) that it producing a 13Mp image. I am currently on the line with a Senior Advisor from Apple Support who is gathering data, and screenshots of the behavior to forward to "Engineering".

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,580 points

Oct 6, 2025 7:42 AM in response to Servant of Cats

I suspect it’s cost related more than anything. Yes, size and weight are certainly a criteria, but the larger the sensor area, the more expensive the chip. Larger chips have higher defect rejection and increase prices even further. Front facing camera is very much a consumer feature and while pros use it, Apple probably wants to maximize the consumer experience. Average consumer will probably never notice the 13mp vs 18mp difference.

LD150

Level 10

99,535 points

Sep 23, 2025 1:55 PM in response to random_notrandom

The HEIF surely compresses the image otherwise it would not be a High Efficiency format? Images are frequently lower resolution than the sensor’s.

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,580 points

Oct 11, 2025 2:05 AM in response to SebastianD334

Do you have a link for information that a square sensor is not used?

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,580 points

Oct 11, 2025 8:24 AM in response to Servant of Cats

The cutting off of corners is where more of the dead or stuck pixels would occur. Chips that might have been recycled can now be repurposed.

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iPhone 17 Pro front camera's 1:1 square photos show lower resolution than expected