If your selfies feel cramped, you’re not imagining it. A few things narrow the view.
1. The default framing
On iPhone 11 and later, the front camera opens slightly zoomed in when you hold the phone upright. Look for the small button with two arrows on the screen; tapping it widens the view. Turning the phone sideways usually widens it automatically.
2. Stabilisation and video modes
To keep video steady, the phone often crops in a little and uses the edges as a buffer. Stronger stabilisation crops more. That’s why your selfie video can look tighter than your selfie photo.
3. The app you’re using
Many apps don’t use the widest format the camera can provide. Two apps on the same phone can show quite different widths.
4. Your phone model
Front cameras differ between models. Apple says iPhone 17 models use a square front sensor with a wider field of view.
What to try
- Tap the widen button and compare.
- Shoot a photo and a video at the same spot and compare the width.
- Hold the phone a little further away and higher.
- Try landscape for groups.