Apple adds Android style pro camera controls to iPhone

What the new controls include

With the latest iOS release Apple has opened the iPhone camera to a level of manual control that was previously only common on Android flagship devices. Photographers can now adjust shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focus directly from the native Camera app. The changes are part of a broader effort to make the iPhone a primary tool for serious image makers.

Manual exposure and focus

The new interface adds sliders for exposure compensation and ISO, while a focus ring lets users select the exact point of sharpness. These adjustments are reflected in real time, giving instant feedback as lighting conditions change. The feature works across the standard Photo mode as well as the dedicated Pro mode that appears on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

RAW and ProRes options

Apple expands its existing ProRAW and ProRes capabilities. Users can now capture 12‑bit ProRAW files with the same manual settings, preserving the full dynamic range for later editing. Video creators benefit from ProRes recording that respects the chosen exposure values, allowing a consistent look between stills and motion.

How Android users have benefited for years

Android manufacturers have offered manual camera controls for over a decade. Devices such as the Google Pixel series have included a dedicated "Pro" mode that lets photographers fine‑tune every aspect of exposure. This long‑standing feature set a benchmark that many professional mobile photographers expected Apple to match.

Legacy of manual mode on Android

Google’s official guide explains how users can manipulate shutter speed, ISO and focus to capture low‑light scenes without noise. Third‑party apps have also pushed the envelope, adding features like histogram overlays and focus peaking. The result has been a vibrant community of Android photographers who rely on these tools for creative work.

Implications for iPhone photographers

The arrival of Android‑style controls on iPhone changes the creative workflow for many users. No longer must they rely on third‑party apps to gain full control over exposure. The native integration ensures that all adjustments are stored directly in the image metadata, simplifying the hand‑off to editing software such as Adobe Lightroom.

Creative freedom

With manual sliders, photographers can experiment with long exposures for light‑painting, freeze fast motion with high shutter speeds, or deliberately underexpose for dramatic effect. The ability to set a custom white balance eliminates the need for post‑processing color correction in many cases.

Workflow changes

Because the settings are saved in the image file, editors can see the exact parameters used at the time of capture. This transparency speeds up the editing process and reduces guesswork. Professionals who shoot RAW will appreciate the consistency between the capture and edit stages.

Potential drawbacks and learning curve

While the new tools empower creators, they also introduce complexity. Users accustomed to the point‑and‑shoot simplicity of the iPhone may need time to understand how each slider impacts the final image. Apple mitigates this with on‑screen tips and a reset button that returns settings to automatic mode.

What this means for the competition

Apple’s decision signals a shift in the mobile photography market. Competitors that have long marketed manual controls now face a platform that offers comparable features out of the box. Analysts suggest that this could lead to a new round of innovation as manufacturers look for other ways to differentiate their camera systems.

How to access the new features

Step by step guide

• Open the Camera app on an iPhone running the latest iOS version.
• Tap the "Pro" button that appears in the mode selector.
• Use the on‑screen sliders to adjust ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation.
• Tap the focus icon to move the focus ring to the desired subject.
• Choose "RAW" or "ProRes" from the format menu if you need higher fidelity.
• Capture the image; the settings will be stored in the file metadata.

For a detailed walkthrough, see Apple’s official iOS 17 camera features page.

Android users can compare the experience with Google’s Pixel manual camera guide, which has long offered similar sliders and focus controls.

Industry reviews, such as the iPhone 15 Pro camera review on DPReview, highlight the impact of these changes on image quality and user satisfaction.

Tech commentary from The Verge notes that the move brings iPhone closer to a true professional tool.

Academic insight into mobile photography trends can be found in MIT news on mobile photography advances, which discusses how software improvements are reshaping visual storytelling.