Square cameras sensors may come to Android phones after debuting on iPhone 17 series
The leaker Digital Chat Station recently claimed that Oppo and Huawei are developing smartphones with front-facing cameras that use square sensors. Oppo will reportedly introduce the technology in a flagship device first, possibly the Oppo Find X10 series, whereas Huawei is said to be considering a debut in a mid-range phone, with the Nova 16 series a likely candidate for such a camera upgrade.
The Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro (Max), and iPhone Air are currently the only smartphones equipped with a square front-camera sensor. According to Apple, the square sensor offers greater convenience than the iPhone 16’s 12 MP front sensor, which uses a 4:3 aspect ratio. For instance, it allows users to capture images in both portrait and landscape orientations without rotating the device.
The AI-driven feature automatically adjusts the aspect ratio to ensure everyone in front of the camera fits within the frame. Although Apple doesn’t allow Open Gate recording across the entire sensor surface, it is theoretically possible to shoot square video with a square sensor and then crop the footage in post-production to create both vertical clips for social media and horizontal versions for platforms like YouTube.
During video chats, Center Stage on the iPhone 17 automatically adjusts the framing to keep the user’s face centred in the shot. According to DxOMark’s rankings, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro currently has the best selfie camera amongst smartphones, though its new sensor received a score of 154 – only three points higher than the iPhone 16 Pro’s.
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