For those embracing Apple’s latest innovation, the iPhone 17 Pro, there appears to be a notable caveat for photography enthusiasts. Unlike its predecessors, this model lacks the ability to combine Night mode with Portrait mode, a feature that once allowed users to capture stunning, depth-enhanced photos in low-light settings. This limitation is explicitly noted in a support guide on Apple’s own website.
The absence of this feature has not gone unnoticed. Users on Reddit have flagged the issue, and even tech journalists, like my colleague Tom Warren, have expressed surprise at its omission. Warren initially suspected this might be a glitch, only to find it was an intentional change in the new model. To date, Apple has not provided any insight into the rationale behind this decision or whether they plan to reinstate the feature in future updates.
While we await a response from Apple, it’s worth noting that Night mode is still available in other camera settings on the iPhone 17 Pro. However, for those who favor the artistic flair of Portrait mode’s depth-of-field effects, the absence of Night mode integration may be a disappointment. This change could potentially make low-light photography less appealing on what is otherwise a cutting-edge device.
iPhone 17 Pro users can still take Night mode photos and videos across other camera modes. Portrait mode users who enjoy the sharper subject focus and blurring background effects will be missing out, however, making low-light photography feel like a downgraded experience on Apple’s current flagship phone.
