The iPhone 16 Pro is already capable of taking stunning still images while offering pro-level video production. But Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman — an Apple commentator with a reliable track record — writes that for the iPhone 17 Pro line, Apple “will stress improvements to video recording” in a bid to “get the vlogging community away from stand alone cameras.” As a YouTube creator, I’m intrigued.
Sadly, Gurman hasn’t offered any details on what these video improvements might be. And to be fair to Apple, it’s already leading the way with some of its production capabilities. The combination of ProRes recording and Log color profiles on the last couple of iPhone Pro models has made them not just great video cameras for everyday vloggers, but powerful enough to be the primary cameras for Hollywood films. Samsung clearly took note of Apple’s video dominance in the creative space as it equipped the recent S25 Ultra with Log color, too.
Given the already top-end video skills of the iPhones, it’s difficult to know exactly what Apple might do to make its devices even more appealing to content creators. I produce videos for CNET, but I also operate a YouTube channel and so I spend a lot of my time shooting video and vlogging on a variety of equipment from mirrorless cameras like my Canon R5 and BlackMagic Cinema Camera to more mobile options like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. Yet I rarely use my iPhone 16 Pro as part of my production. So, why not?
The compact and powerful DJI Osmo Pocket 3 remains my go-to camera for YouTube vlogging.
In all honesty, there’s no specific reason beyond that I feel I have my bases adequately covered by what’s already available. When I want cinematic production quality, I use my main cameras. When I want a lightweight mobile setup for photowalk vlogging, I use my Osmo. So I’m left wondering what Apple would need to do to make me leave my Osmo at home and head out to shoot my YouTube videos using just my phone. I do have a couple of thoughts.
My professional camera setup includes a Canon R5 and a wealth of accessories to help me produce the best possible quality.
First, it needs to make the main camera app easier to use with Bluetooth microphones. While the iPhone’s built-in microphones are decent enough in quiet environments, external mics can offer more professional sound quality with better wind resistance. They allow you to stand further away from your camera while capturing crystal clear sound.
While it’s possible to pair the DJI Mic 2 with the iPhone, I’ve only been able to get it to work when using the BlackMagic Camera app, but not in the iPhone’s default camera app. It’s possible that Apple will try to push the AirPods Pro 2 as the better option for creators, but I don’t like wearing headphones when vlogging, so this isn’t a workaround I’d be happy with.
I also want to see Apple offer more editing options for its Log footage on the phone. Log video looks grey and low contrast by default as you typically take that footage into editing software like Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve and adjust the colors and contrast to suit — a process called color grading. But that adds a lot of time and effort.
If Apple wants its high-level video skills to appeal to fast-paced YouTubers and social media creators, adding color presets (often called LUTs) to the iPhone’s video editing workflow would be a welcome addition.
I’m definitely excited to see what Apple has in store for the iPhone 17’s cameras. As someone who spends a lot of time producing videos, I’m keen to see whether its new updates will be enough to tempt me away from my own tried-and-tested setup.
Add comment