Tenby Harbour panorama, shot on iPhone 17 Pro Max, September 2025
In the ever-evolving smartphone world, new handsets dazzle with longer zooms, larger sensors, and improved resolutions; it's easy to overlook a feature that has been around since the iPhone 4S.
At first glance, Pano Mode on the iPhone might seem like just a fun feature, but it's actually one of the most powerful and creative tools available. It turns what otherwise is a technical chore into something immediate. It captures a rapid sequence of overlapping images and stitches them together into one seamless, ultra-wide photograph that shows far more than any single frame could. It's a simple, powerful way to capture the bigger picture.
North Wales Tearoom, Tu Hwnt I'r Bont panorama, shot on iPhone 17 Pro Max, October 2025
As you pan your iPhone slowly across a scene, the magic begins to unfold. The camera captures a stream of overlapping frames, while built-in sensors track your movement to keep the horizon steady. Exposure and colour are automatically balanced from one side of the sweep to the other, and you see the panorama forming in real time on your screen. No waiting, no editing, just a clean, seamless image ready to share.
Before smartphones made panoramic photography simple, the whole process was a demanding task. It required steady hands or a tripod to take overlapping shots, then manually merging them in apps like Adobe Photoshop. While that process can still produce impressive ultra-high-resolution panoramas, the iPhone's built-in mode allows for quick and intuitive creation of beautiful panoramas with immediate results.
Gwrych Castle, North Wales, panorama shot on iPhone X, December 2017
Panorama modes are now a standard feature across the smartphone industry, but Apple's version remains one of the most refined and reliable. It's fast, intuitive, and remarkably consistent, producing smooth stitches and balanced exposures time after time.
Even with the 0.5x 13mm Ultra-Wide and the 1x 24mm Wide lens, there are moments when it's a struggle to contain a scene within the frame. Some situations demand more. Pano Mode works across all zoom levels, on the iPhone 17 Pro, you can shoot with all three cameras and even explore results with the extended 8x optical-quality zoom. Each lens changes the story of the scene, bringing its own character.
As with all photography, technique is important. Keep your phone level and move at a steady pace. Take your time. A tripod isn’t usually needed; Pano Mode is surprisingly forgiving and smooths out minor shakes as you move. Plan where you want the panorama to start and finish, and let the on-screen guide assist you across the scene.
Bodnant Garden, North Wales, panorama shot on iPhone 17Pro Max, October 2025
How to Shoot a Panorama on iPhone
Shooting a panorama on your iPhone couldn't be simpler once you know how it works.
Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales, September 2025
1. Open the Camera app.
2. Swipe through the shooting options until you find Pano. You'll see a horizontal guideline with an arrow showing the direction of your sweep.
3. Set your direction. By default, the camera pans from left to right. If you'd rather go the other way, tap the arrow to flip it. You can also hold your iPhone upright to capture a vertical panorama — perfect for tall buildings, trees, or waterfalls.
4. Start your sweep. Tap the shutter button to begin, then move your iPhone slowly and smoothly in the direction of the arrow. Keep the arrow lined up with the on-screen guide to assist you across the scene. The steadier your movement, the cleaner the final stitch.
5. Finish your shot. Tap the shutter button again when you've captured enough of the scene. The iPhone instantly stitches the frames together into a seamless panoramic image.
That's all there is to it and you've got a wide, cinematic view ready to share.
Pano Mode is surprisingly forgiving to camera shake. This panorama was created in the video example above.
Pano Mode reminds me that photography is about seeing differently. It encourages movement, awareness, and a sense of discovery. It gives us a perspective that none of the fixed lenses can; expansive, fluid, and alive with motion. It encourages you to move, explore, and think beyond the frame. No matter how advanced the iPhone becomes, I keep returning to Pano Mode; it's a reminder that creativity isn't just about the lens you choose, but how you choose to see.
Cathedral of Mallorca, Palma, panorama shot with iPhone 6 Plus, February 2016
iPhone photography embodies simplicity, immediacy, and the freedom to create anywhere. It's not just a method; it's a mindset that encourages curiosity, responsiveness to surroundings, and trust in instincts. There's no complicated setup or fuss, just the joy of seeing, feeling, and reacting to the moment.
Looking for a new perspective? Next time you're out taking photos, don't overlook Pano Mode. Some of the most creative tools are already in your pocket, just waiting to be rediscovered.