Latest iPhone Pro Loses a Handy Camera Feature

A New Limitation for Apple's Latest Flagship Phones

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have a new camera limitation: users can no longer take Night mode photos while using Portrait mode. This feature has been available since the iPhone 12 Pro, released in 2020.

How to Check the Limitation

1. Open the Camera app and select Photo mode.
2. Cover the lens to simulate low light.
3. The Night mode icon should appear.
4. Tap the six-dot menu to see the Night mode option.
5. Now, switch to Portrait mode and repeat the process.
6. The Night mode icon disappears, and the option is missing from the menu.

Apple's Official Stance

This is not a bug—it's by design, according to Apple's iOS 26 iPhone User Guide. The guide lists older iPhone models that support Night mode in Portrait mode, but the iPhone 17 Pro models are not included.

User and Expert Observations

• Users on Reddit and Apple forums noticed this missing feature earlier.
• A camera test by DXOMARK in September also hinted at this limitation.
• It remains unclear why Apple removed this feature, especially since the iPhone 17 Pro's camera hardware seems capable of handling both modes.

Possible Reason for the Change

One possible explanation is that Night mode photos are limited to 12 megapixels, while Portrait mode can capture 24 megapixels. However, Apple has not officially explained this change or confirmed if the feature will return in a future update.

User Reaction

For now, iPhone 17 Pro users who enjoyed Night mode portraits on older models may feel like they've taken a step backward.