Apple Built a Custom iPhone Camera to Shoot F1 Movie

Apple engineered a bespoke camera module built from iPhone components to capture dramatic cockpit footage for its upcoming film F1: The Movie, as reported by Wired.

The technology innovation, revealed during WWDC, places Apple deeper into professional filmmaking, while also advancing consumer camera features.

Formula 1 car cabins demand incredibly lightweight, low-profile equipment. Traditional cinema cameras are too bulky, and broadcast-grade units sacrifice cinematic clarity. To capture fully immersive, high-resolution POV shots with Brad Pitt and Damson Idris driving at breakneck speed, Apple’s engineers replaced the broadcast shell with a custom module mirroring the original housing and weight.

Beneath the broadcast-standard exterior, Apple packed a 48 MP iPhone sensor, likely from the iPhone 15 Pro, powered by an A‑series chip (presumed A17 Pro). The module includes an iPhone battery, a neutral-density filter to manage exposure, and built-in iOS firmware customized to record using Apple’s ProRes log format, ideal for later color grading.

Since F1 cars generate intense vibrations, G-forces, and temperature extremes, Apple’s testing ensured the unit exceeded FIA standards for track endurance, surviving all beatings in real race environments.

Footage stored in flat log files gives filmmakers delicate control over contrast, highlights, and hues during post. Technicians adjusted settings live, shutter angle, frame rate, white balance, via a custom iPad app over USB-C, since the camera has no wireless connection.

This development contributed to two significant additions in the iPhone 15 Pro lineup: log video recording capability and support for Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) workflows, tools previously reserved for high-end film gear.

With Lewis Hamilton among the executive producers and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film strives for authenticity, even using actual racecars during GP events in Abu Dhabi and Mexico City.