Other Camera differences between XS & XR

[Sukach]

Ok, guys, help me out. My wife is due for an upgrade this year and her biggest focus is the camera (kids & all). How do I explain the differences between the cameras on the XS & XR? I get that the XS has the dual lens and the XR is missing the "telephoto" lens, but what does that mean in practical terms? Sounds like both phones and do the Portrait mode that was previously limited to the X. Both also have the new stuff (Smart HDR, Depth Control) and both have image stabilization. It does look like the XR doesn't have the optical zoom. So, how much better is the XS camera over the XR?

 

[eyeseeyou]

Why isn’t depth control appearing in iOS 12?

That would be very “applely” if this was purposely left out just to make the new iPhones seem more feature filled.

 

[Sukach]

bump

 

[fryfrkhlly]

I have a 8 plus phone now with the telephoto lens but honestly I only had this phone for the Portrait mode (kid and all as well lol). I will be switching the Xr when the time comes!

 

[EugW]

One key aspect will be how well the iPhone XR does portrait mode.

It does single-lens portrait mode.

And that single lens at least on paper has the same specs as the wide lens of its big brothers.

Ok, guys, help me out. My wife is due for an upgrade this year and her biggest focus is the camera (kids & all). How do I explain the differences between the cameras on the XS & XR? I get that the XS has the dual lens and the XR is missing the "telephoto" lens, but what does that mean in practical terms? Sounds like both phones and do the Portrait mode that was previously limited to the X. Both also have the new stuff (Smart HDR, Depth Control) and both have image stabilization. It does look like the XR doesn't have the optical zoom. So, how much better is the XS camera over the XR?

My understanding is the "optical zoom" on the XS is just that it has a second telephoto lens.

 

[eyeseeyou]

The big difference is XS has two cameras in the back. The XR has one camera in the same position as XS wide-angle with a ƒ/1.8 aperture. Portrait Mode on the XR only works on people.XS Portrait Mode works with anything

Also the XR can take portrait mode pics with the wide angle lens.

Using a 3rd party app like focos or halide enables the ability to take portrait mode pics of objects

 

[alphaod]

The XS/Max and XR have the same regular camera. The difference is the XR employs some post processing for "telephoto" and portrait whereas the XS/Max uses the telephone lens for portrait and assistance in zoomed in pictures.

From day to day, it won't much of a difference. If you are looking for the "depth of field" effect, the XS/Max will probably be better.

 

[eyeseeyou]

The XS/Max and XR have the same regular camera. The difference is the XR employs some post processing for "telephoto" and portrait whereas the XS/Max uses the telephone lens for portrait and assistance in zoomed in pictures.

From day to day, it won't much of a difference. If you are looking for the "depth of field" effect, the XS/Max will probably be better.

Being able to to take portrait pics with the wide angle lens and in low light is arguably a strong point that the lower cost xr has over the XS line even if it is only enabled though software

 

[alphaod]

Being able to to take portrait pics with the wide angle lens and in low light is arguably a strong point that the lower cost xr has over the XS line even if it is only enabled though software

Well that's why I said if you want the depth of field effect pictures, the dual camera is definitely better. Otherwise the nighttime pictures will be the same.

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

I'm debating this myself. I noticed last that my 8+ is blurring against a black field.. see attached... look at the poor quality. I have other images against black with the same issue. I'm wondering if the XS will be a better camera for these images... the telephoto on the 8+ is supposedly the same as on the XS, correct?

 

[eyeseeyou]

Well that's why I said if you want the depth of field effect pictures, the dual camera is definitely better. Otherwise the nighttime pictures will be the same.

I guess the primary difference is that on the XR you can take portrait pics with the wide angle lens vs the dual setup is more tight.

 

[skillwill]

I have the XR and the camera is certainly very impressive. If you are not satisfied with the XR camera quality, then what you’re looking for is probably an actual camera

 

[Derek87]

i think everyone covered this well.

i would ask: what is your wife currently using? if she already has a Plus model phone with telephoto, she would probably miss having the telephoto lens.

i have an XS and think i would be ok with the XR and would like the option to have the wide Portrait mode the XR has. yet, after having used the XS a while, i might miss the telephoto option if i had to go back to a single lens (i was coming from an iPhone 7)

 

[eyeseeyou]

i would ask: what is your wife currently using? if she already has a Plus model phone with telephoto, she would probably miss having the telephoto lens.

I would also ask the wife if she uses the telefoto lens specifically. Also one thing to note is that unless it's in the ideal lighting conditions the native camera app doesn't even use the additional telefoto lens.