Apple has acknowledged a camera glitch affecting some iPhone 17 models, including the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Users reported that the camera viewfinder occasionally froze or stuttered when switching between lenses, especially in portrait mode and low-light scenarios. The company confirmed that it has identified the cause of the issue and will release a fix in an upcoming software update.
The issue gained attention after early reviews of the iPhone Air highlighted the problem. CNN Underscored noted in its iPhone Air review that in certain cases, the viewfinder lagged or locked up, reducing the overall shooting experience. Since launch, more users have echoed similar experiences on both the Air and Pro Max, raising concerns about stability in devices marketed heavily on their advanced camera systems.
From the review:
I also noticed an odd imaging problem at this concert, where one out of every 10 or so photos taken on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max have small blacked-out portions, including boxes and parts of white squiggles from the big LED board behind the band. An Apple spokesperson told CNN Underscored that this is “something that can happen in very rare cases when an LED light display is extremely bright and shining directly into the camera. Apple has identified a fix and will be releasing it in an upcoming software update.”
The iPhone 17 lineup represents a significant leap in Apple’s camera hardware and software. Powered by the A19 chip, the devices bring larger sensors, faster image processing, and enhanced computational photography. The iPhone 17 Pro Max also introduces an extended telephoto zoom system, while the iPhone Air targets budget-conscious users with much of the same processing power in a lighter design. With these upgrades, Apple positioned this generation as its strongest push in mobile photography to date.
Apple has reassured customers that image quality is not impacted by the glitch and that a fix is already in development. An upcoming iOS 26 update is expected to resolve the issue, ensuring smoother lens transitions and stable performance when capturing photos and videos. Until then, users of the affected models may occasionally encounter the glitch but can expect relief once the patch is deployed.
This rapid response highlights Apple’s approach of addressing early hardware or software issues soon after launch. As the fix rolls out, the company aims to restore full confidence in the iPhone 17 lineup’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality photography across all models.
