iPhone 17 Series Reportedly Adding New Widget Customization

Apple is reportedly developing a significant overhaul of the native iPhone camera application to provide advanced customization options tailored for professional photographers. The updates, which have not been confirmed by Apple, aim to transform the interface into a more flexible environment through the introduction of a widget-based system.

According to reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, as detailed by Gizmodo on May 12, 2026, the redesigned app will allow users to modify the interface by adding or removing specific control modules. These widgets are described as an ecosystem of sub-apps that will reside at the top of the camera interface.

The system is designed to allow advanced users to curate their own workspace, keeping frequently used tools accessible while discarding those they do not require. For users who prefer the standard experience, the app can remain in its default configuration.

To manage these customizations, the update will introduce an Add Widgets tray located at the bottom of the interface. This tray will serve as the library from which photographers can select and deploy specific tools to the main screen.

Professional Control and Difficulty Settings

The reported changes focus heavily on granular control for still photography. Specifically, new widgets will allow users to directly manipulate exposure and depth-of-field, functions that typically require more menu navigation or third-party applications in the current version of the software.

To accommodate different skill levels, these widgets will reportedly feature distinct difficulty settings. These tiers are categorized as basic, manual, and settings, allowing users to scale the complexity of the controls based on their expertise or the requirements of a specific shot.

Interface and Hardware Integration

Beyond the addition of widgets, the updates include a reorganization of the existing user interface. The controls button, currently located in the top-right corner of the camera app, is expected to be relocated to the right of the shutter button for easier access.

This software shift appears to be a continuation of Apple’s recent efforts to integrate more professional hardware controls. The move follows the introduction of a physical side button for camera controls on the iPhone 16, which was designed to encourage users to engage with the device’s more advanced photography features.

By combining physical hardware triggers with a highly customizable software interface, the impending updates seek to reduce the friction associated with professional smartphone photography, moving away from a one-size-fits-all interface toward a user-defined professional toolkit.