iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Hands-On: Much-Improved Cameras Within Unsightly Bump

[MacRumors]

Apple today introduced the new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max at Steve Jobs Theater. The media had the chance to go hands-on with the devices after the keynote and have shared photos and first impressions.

iPhone 11 Pro via SlashGear​

First Impressions

Most of the first impressions focused on the camera upgrades and slightly tweaked design of each new iPhone.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn said he prefers the matte finish and seamless camera bump of the iPhone 11 Pro:

From the outside, the phones look and feel slightly better than the iPhone XS, though quite a lot of that is the matte finish on the back, which I really prefer -- though sometimes matte glass can be more slippy than glossy. Apple says the glass is more durable, and I really do like how it is one piece, with no seam on the camera bump.

So let's talk about the camera bump: it's big. But Apple has designed the lenses on it in such a way that it isn't trying to hide the giant square on the back. I don't love it, but everybody uses a case anyway, so that will help.

SlashGear's Chris Davies was not a big fan of the camera bump, but he does understand why it was designed the way it was:

I have to confess, I wasn't feeling Apple's big square camera array when I saw the leaked images and renders. Even now, I'm not 100-percent a fan, particularly when you look at the iPhone 11 Pro next to the iPhone XS Max.

Still, it's easier to accept the aesthetic necessities when it's constructed so expertly. Had the camera bulge been grafted on, it would've felt clumsy; by growing it out of the glass as a whole, it's not necessarily pretty but it does feel intentional. Combined with the easier grip of the new texture, it feels far more changed than it looks.

TechRadar's Gareth Beavis on the lower-end iPhone 11's cameras:

But enough about how this bump looks - what does it actually do? Well, two sensors live in there, both 12MP. However, this time around it's the standard lens plus an ultra-wide angle lens, enabling you to pull back to see more of a scene, with an instant visual suggestion to do so. [...]

The quality of the images we took was impressive, although we couldn't test the camera hard in low-light settings, which is a real test for today's high-end smartphones. Apple is touting the night mode versions, and the test options they had for us to see looked good indeed.

The front-facing camera has been improved too, with the sensor being upgraded to 12MP to facilitate wider-angle pics when you rotate the phone landscape, as well as being able to shoot slow motion selfies as well (which Apple is infuriatingly calling Slofies).

Photos

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max via SlashGear​

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max via The Verge​

Videos

MacRumors will have our own hands-on video of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro in the days ahead and in-depth coverage of the new devices.

Article Link: iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Hands-On: Much-Improved Cameras Within Unsightly Bump

 

[kwokaaron]

Still prefer the 'pill' camera design. Maybe it'll grow on me eventually......

 

[frosty18]

It looks better than it did in the leaks imo

 

[InVinoVeritasty]

I've always been a big Norelco fan

 

[keysofanxiety]

Unsightly certainly is the word. It does look like somebody’s welded something to the back of the phone. The X camera was an acquired taste but extremely understated in comparison.

I’m not fond of the smartphone camera war as it wields these products which I really don’t think will age well.

 

[rkRusty]

Alternative keynote:

"Good morning! Don't bother folks!
Now I want to thank all of the retail team at Apple for making today possible..."

 

[haydn!]

Let's be clear here. That camera array is ugly as hell. The rest of it though, looks as sleak as ever.

 

[macduke]

Like I said back when the leaks and mockups came out, Apple will likely do something to make the bump look better and they did. I wouldn't say it's unsightly now. Ideal? Far from it, but not hideous. It actually kind of (ironically?) looks a little like a Droid from Star Wars with those three cameras and light. Give it another 10-15 years and maybe it will be projecting little holograms from that unit, lol.

 

[tridley68]

That 11 pro max s in gold looks stunning.

 

[BGPL]

Apple was sure to have a distinguishing feature (two cameras vs three) so everyone knows where you stand in the apple hierarchy. It's like renting an RV and having the giant 1-800 number and the "YOU CAN RENT ME!" on the side. Everyone knows you don't actually own that s***.

 

[motm95]

Camera bump

 

[ilikewhey]

that korean fella prediction is pretty spot on.

 

[xxray]

I started getting used to the new camera bump, then I saw the picture of the new 11 Pro Max next to the XS Max camera bump. Wow, the new iPhones are really ugly.

 

[HobbesInVA]

The camera bump makes the phone ugly. That is the ugliest design I can remember seeing from Apple. It makes the X and XS look even better.

 

[alpi123]

What's the deal with the front facing camera? Since it's now 12MP, doesn't it have wider view on portrait as well? Why only landscape?

 

[chrisdazzo]

Apple was sure to have a distinguishing feature (two cameras vs three) so everyone knows where you stand in the apple hierarchy. It's like renting an RV and having the giant 1-800 number and the "YOU CAN RENT ME!" on the side. Everyone knows you don't actually own that s***.

Not everyone finances their phones, bub.

 

[Remy149]

Doesn’t bother me the bump always disappears in the Apple leather cases

 

[Jmausmuc]

iPhone 11 camera bump looks ok.
iPhone 11 Pro Camera bump is pushing it for me.

2nd picture from the top looks horrible.

will probably still be acceptable with a case but interesting to see Apple prioritize function over form this time.

 

[macduke]

Slofies?

Thanks, I hate it.

 

[now i see it]

I think the whole narrative of actual professional video creators using this toy as their go to camera was genuinely rediculous. Ok, let's toss out the RED camera and use an
iPhone instead.

 

[Biu_miu]

How can author convince me, that first and last pics indeed were taken today and not from iPhone X launch 2 years ago?

 

[swingerofbirch]

I can see why they didn't keep the XS in the lineup. Spec-wise it wouldn't make much difference to most people, but aesthetically it would be more pleasing. If I ever upgrade from my iPhone 7, I'll probably try to find an iPhone XS. More so because I like 3D touch than the carbuncle that's grown on the back of the phone.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

The killer feature of the bump design is that it actually doubles as the Domino pizza app. You push on it with your finger and it authenticates and has your favorite pizza in memory. But only on the pro. The regular 11 doesn't resemble their logo enough to squeeze the tech into it.

 

[zubikov]

We all need to accept that they stopped trying and move on with our lives.

 

[AppleWes]

It looks better than it did in the leaks imo

I'm glad the the camera bump somewhat matches the color of phone itself.

Still feels as it was added on at last minute... less symmetry and clean Apple design.