Apple has introduced open gate recording on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, a professional feature that uses the entire camera sensor for full-frame video capture. The upgrade, available through Final Cut Camera 2.0, allows creators to reframe, crop, or stabilize footage after recording without losing image detail. It is designed for filmmakers who need cinematic flexibility and control directly from their iPhone.
Open gate recording captures video in a 4:3 aspect ratio at up to 4224 × 3024 resolution in ProRes RAW, making full use of the sensor rather than the standard 16:9 crop. The result is more data to work with during editing, ideal for producing both widescreen and vertical content from a single shot. Combined with Apple Log 2, the footage maintains exceptional dynamic range and color depth for professional color grading and post-production work.
Unlike traditional video modes, open gate disables in-camera stabilization to preserve the entire sensor feed. It requires external SSD storage via USB-C due to the high data rate of ProRes RAW. The A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup ensures that even large open gate files can be recorded smoothly without frame drops, giving creators a true desktop-level workflow on mobile hardware.
This feature also aligns with Apple’s professional ecosystem. The Final Cut Camera 2.0 app introduces support for Apple Log 2, Genlock synchronization, and timecode integration, enabling multi-camera workflows using multiple iPhones or external cameras. Editors working in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve can crop open gate footage into 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1 formats while maintaining full resolution. Learn more about the extended workflow in the Final Cut Camera update.
Open gate recording is currently exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and it represents a significant shift toward professional video production on mobile. By enabling full-sensor recording, Apple gives filmmakers the freedom to compose once and deliver across any format, from cinematic releases to social platforms. With ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and the performance of the A19 Pro chip working together, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup redefines what professional-grade mobile filmmaking can achieve.
Here are some examples of recording Open Gate on iPhone 17 Pro:
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