The Lock Screen feature (yes optional) of this is problematic with me. If anything is rock solid/stable in my phone’s UI it’s the LOCK Screen. “Locked” right? The iPhone endures because of its infinite customization path forward yet some parts must be…locked. The shape-shifting little screen presentation can be a rabbit hole for many users but one can always return to the Lock Screen, take a deepen breath, and reenter iPhone world refreshed. From the Lock Screen that is. The faux spatial option on my boring & immutable Lock Screen will remain so. I DO appreciate the optional nature of spatial but I won’t use it on the Lock Screen. My 2¢
In iOS 26, Apple's Spatial Scenes feature can transform ordinary photos into dynamic, three-dimensional pictures that respond to your movements. By adding depth and subtle motion to flat images, this clever AI-powered feature can bring to life photos in your iPhone's library – and your iPhone doesn't need Apple Intelligence to make use of it.
Spatial Scenes in the Photos App
Spatial Scenes works by intelligently separating subjects from backgrounds in your photos. When you move your iPhone, the foreground elements stay relatively stable while background elements shift slightly. This creates a parallax effect that mimics how your eyes naturally perceive depth.
The feature works using generative AI that analyzes your photos to identify different elements and create depth maps. Importantly, it doesn't require Apple Intelligence to function, meaning Spatial Scenes works on iPhone 12 and newer models.
Unlike spatial photos captured using iPhone 16 models, Spatial Scenes works with virtually any existing photo that has a clear subject. Open any compatible image in the Photos app and look for a small hexagon icon in the upper right corner. Tap this icon, and your photo instantly gains the depth effect.
Once enabled, gently move your phone back and forth to see the spatial effect in action. The movement doesn't need to be dramatic – small tilts and shifts are enough to reveal the added depth.
Lock Screen Spatial Scenes
It's not just the Photos app where Spatial Scenes can be experienced. Your iPhone's Lock Screen wallpaper can have that same engaging depth whenever you glance at the screen.
When you're browsing Lock Screen wallpaper options, iOS automatically suggests photos from your library that are compatible with the feature. And if you manually select a Lock Screen photo that supports Spatial Scenes, you'll see a toggle on the customization screen that lets you enable or disable the effect.
Apple is in the final testing phase for iOS 26, and is expected to roll out a general release in the coming weeks.
Article Link: iOS 26: Turn Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes
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iOS 26: Turn Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes
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Did I say a person taking the occasional selfie qualifies them as being a narcissist? No, I did not. I wish people (in general) would actually read entire posts and make sure they understand what was written sometimes. At the same time, the people who are getting defensive over my posts really tell the tale. Narcissism has been increasing further over the past two decades...no thanks to social media and the selfie camera. People literally die on a daily basis trying to take selfies in dangerous places. Again, my point stands.
I read your scant messages… one might think repeating oneself over and over to be a sign of narcissism too. You said people wouldn’t buy phones without cameras because of narcissism, I disagreed. I wish people wouldn’t oversimplify to meet an agenda.
I think anything that preserves our present for future generations is a good thing. The fact that some people die taking selfies proves nothing more than people dying because of a wide variety of stupid things. It’s called Darwism.
pointless. cant do it with most photos and cant save the results.
in fact, who is to say it ever happened???????
in fact, who is to say it ever happened???????
No, once again, you've misquoted me. Therefore, this will be the last time I engage with you on this topic.
What I actually said was: "Try making an iPhone without a selfie camera and see how well it sells.". You then proceeded to put words in my mouth. Talk about an "agenda".
If someone is willing to risk their life just to take a selfie in a dangerous location, they're clearly one of the narcissists I was referring to. It is quite telling that you are getting so defensive over my posts. Anyway, have a good evening.
Because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean they’re defensive. But thanks for sharing your mental health experience with us in a photography thread. very insightful. Have you even tried a spatial photograph?
Lock Screen spatial scene turns my pictures really low resolution. Spatial is cool, but it looks so bad for a blurry, noisy building wiggle behind a blurry, noisy tree.
This "feature" would have been a breakthrough tech back in early 2010s (still somewhat gimmicky even by standards then) In fact, I remember LeEco in China doing something similar with their Android handsets back in mid 2010s, a decade ago... before they went bankrupt in 2020. What's next Apple, letting us use our own sound files, wav's, mp3s, and all, for custom ringtones, like it's 2009? Whew! Sure are puttin' that $3T marketcap and uncounted billions of $ into R&D to work...