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Yes—the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is currently third in DxOMark’s Global camera ranking, with an overall score of 168. The same DxOMark page, displaying its 2026 ranking, places the phone third in the Ultra-Premium category (devices priced above $800). Its separate selfie result is even stronger: a score of 154 and first place in DxOMark’s global selfie ranking.
This is a top-tier result, not proof that the iPhone 17 Pro is the best camera phone for every situation. DxOMark gives it an especially high video score, while identifying compromises in group photos, low-light noise, intermediate zoom detail and ultra-wide performance.
The ranking at a glance
DxOMark’s results for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro are laboratory-test scores covering multiple camera behaviors. The rear-camera ranking and the selfie ranking are separate measurements.
| Measure | DxOMark result |
|---|---|
| Overall camera score | 168 |
| Global camera ranking | 3rd (2026 ranking currently displayed) |
| Ultra-Premium ranking | 3rd |
| Photo | 166 |
| Main camera | 175 |
| Bokeh | 170 |
| Ultra-wide | 150 |
| Telephoto | 141 |
| Video | 172 |
| Selfie | 154 |
| Selfie photo | 150 |
| Selfie video | 159 |
Source: DxOMark’s iPhone 17 Pro test and ranking page. Rankings can change when new phones are tested or ranking pages are revised.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Why it reached the top three
Video is the standout
The 172 video score is the biggest reason the iPhone 17 Pro performs so well overall. DxOMark describes the video experience as best in class in its testing. In practical terms, that matters to people recording moving subjects, family events, interviews, travel clips and social content: stable exposure, consistent color, dependable autofocus, lens switching and stabilization often matter more than a single maximum-resolution still.
The score supports a narrower conclusion: the iPhone 17 Pro is among the strongest video-oriented camera phones in DxOMark’s current ranking. It does not establish that it wins every still-photo or video comparison against every competitor.
Reliable color, exposure and portraits
DxOMark highlights exposure consistency, color reproduction and natural-looking skin tones. Portrait rendering and bokeh are also strong, reflected in the 175 main-camera and 170 bokeh scores. Those traits favor point-and-shoot users who want repeatable results without extensive manual adjustment.
A more capable telephoto system
Apple’s new rear system uses three 48MP Fusion cameras, including a redesigned telephoto unit. Apple says the telephoto sensor is 56% larger than the previous-generation telephoto sensor; that is an Apple specification claim, not an independent DxOMark measurement. The hardware gives the phone more useful framing options, although DxOMark’s 141 telephoto score remains well below its main-camera score.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Where the iPhone 17 Pro falls short
- Group photos: DxOMark reports limitations associated with the lack of a variable aperture, which can make demanding group scenes less predictable.
- Indoor and low-light scenes: Noticeable noise remains in darker environments.
- Intermediate zoom: Texture detail drops between the phone’s preset focal lengths, so a result at an in-between zoom level may look less detailed than the headline options suggest.
- Ultra-wide photography: The 150 ultra-wide score is a clear weakness relative to the main camera.
- Long-range zoom: The telephoto score indicates that buyers prioritizing distant subjects should compare alternatives rather than assume the top-three overall position guarantees the best reach.
What the camera hardware actually provides
Apple lists the following rear-camera specifications on its iPhone 17 Pro specifications page:
| Camera | Key specifications |
|---|---|
| Main | 48MP, 24mm equivalent, ƒ/1.78, second-generation sensor-shift optical stabilization |
| Ultra Wide | 48MP, 13mm equivalent, ƒ/2.2, 120-degree field of view |
| Telephoto | 48MP, 100mm equivalent, ƒ/2.8, tetraprism design, autofocus and 3D sensor-shift optical stabilization |
| Zoom options | 2x and 8x optical-quality framing; Apple lists an optical-quality zoom range of 16x and digital zoom up to 40x |
| Macro and formats | 48MP macro photography; HEIF, JPEG and DNG, with Apple ProRAW support |
“Optical-quality” is Apple’s terminology and should not be shortened to “8x optical zoom.” Three 48MP cameras also do not mean every shooting mode or every zoom level records a full 48MP image.
The separate selfie achievement
Do not confuse the rear-camera third-place result with the phone’s selfie ranking. DxOMark gives the iPhone 17 Pro a 154 selfie score and first place globally in its separate selfie ranking. Its selfie test reports scores of 150 for selfie photos and 159 for selfie video.
The front camera is an 18MP autofocus camera with an ƒ/1.9 aperture. Apple lists 4K recording at 24, 25, 30 and 60 frames per second, plus 1080p modes up to 120 frames per second. DxOMark attributes much of the improvement to the redesigned, square-sensor Center Stage camera and evaluated selfie video at 4K/30. See the DxOMark selfie test and Apple’s front-camera specifications.
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Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
What changed from the previous generation
The verified hardware changes are more useful than an unverified year-over-year score comparison, since comparable testing methods and scores for the previous model are not established here. Apple’s announced changes include:
- Three 48MP Fusion rear cameras.
- A new 48MP telephoto camera with a tetraprism design.
- 8x optical-quality telephoto framing and 48MP macro photography.
- An 18MP Center Stage front camera.
- ProRAW and advanced video features.
Apple announced the iPhone 17 Pro in September 2025 and describes the camera system in its launch announcement. Apple’s “equivalent to eight pro lenses” wording is a framing claim, not eight separate physical lenses.
Which photographers should consider it?
| Priority | Fit |
|---|---|
| Video, moving subjects and social content | Excellent fit; video is the strongest DxOMark area |
| Portraits and skin tones | Strong fit |
| Selfies and video calls | Excellent fit; first in DxOMark’s selfie ranking |
| General point-and-shoot use | Strong fit because of exposure and color consistency |
| Maximum long-range zoom | Compare alternatives |
| Very low-light stills | Compare alternatives because DxOMark reports noise |
| Ultra-wide landscapes | Compare alternatives |
| Variable-aperture control for groups | Look for phones that offer that hardware |
How to test it against your priorities
Before buying, compare real samples rather than relying only on the leaderboard. Shoot the same subject with the iPhone 17 Pro and any alternative you are considering:
- Take indoor portraits in mixed light.
- Photograph a group at near and far distances.
- Capture a night scene.
- Try intermediate zoom settings, not only 1x, 4x or 8x.
- Shoot an ultra-wide landscape.
- Record a moving subject while switching lenses.
- Record front-camera footage in mixed lighting.
How much weight should DxOMark carry?
DxOMark provides a structured reference, not a guarantee that every user will prefer the resulting images. Its combined score brings together photo, video, zoom-related behavior and other tested attributes. A phone can therefore rank highly overall while losing to another model for a specific job such as distant zoom, low-light stills or ultra-wide work.
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
The most accurate reading is: the iPhone 17 Pro is currently a top-three all-rounder, with unusually strong video and selfie performance, rather than an automatic winner in every camera category. The ranking page currently carries a 2026 label, so treat the third-place position as time-stamped rather than permanent. DxOMark’s category definitions and ranking context are described on its labels page.
Buying the iPhone 17 Pro
For official availability, storage choices and current regional pricing, use Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro product page. Prices and promotions vary by country and date, so a current U.S. price should be checked directly before purchase.
Existing iPhone owners can check a live estimate through Apple Trade In. Credit depends on model, condition and configuration and is not a measure of camera performance. Optional AppleCare+ terms, deductibles and availability also vary by region and plan.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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