iPhone 13 Upgrading from iPhone XR to iPhone 13 - portrait mode differences

[penrua]

I'm on the fence about upgrading from my iPhone XR to an iPhone 13 (maybe Pro).

I love the Portrait mode on my XR. As it has one camera, I've understood it to rely on software for the portrait mode. This means I don't need to back away from my subject for portrait mode and can take portrait mode photos of my newborn with her in my arms.

My wife has an iPhone X and I tried the portrait mode on her phone. The results for subjects at a normal difference are massively better (not to mention I can use it for photos other than people!). But the main issue I was having was that I had to back away from the subject to make it work. So, I could no longer use portrait mode for a photo of my daughter in my arms, or on the bouncer close to me etc.

So my question is: has the portrait system is later iPhones (iPhone 11, 12) been updated so that this is no longer / less of an issue?

And I suppose if anyone here went from an XR to an iPhone 11/12 I'd love to hear how it has gone?

 

[cookiemonster89]

On the non pro iPhone Apple still uses software to achieve the effect. Only the pro iPhones use both lenses to calculate the effect.

 

[penrua]

On the non pro iPhone Apple still uses software to achieve the effect. Only the pro iPhones use both lenses to calculate the effect.

So in theory the non-Pro version will be able to take the Portrait mode closer up, whereas the Pro will not? Hm... I was thinking of going all out for the Pro (if I'm spending so much on a phone may as well go all out...) but now I'm second guessing myself.

 

[imp3rator]

If I cover Ultra-wide lens on my iphone 12 i can't shoot a portrait (I don't get a bokeh...)

 

[Deifie]

It should be the same as on the 11 Pro and 12 Pro, in portrait mode you can choose 1x or 2x Zoom.
So it uses the wide lens or the telephoto lens.
On the regular iPhone 13 you will only have the 1x option.

 

[coso]

On the non pro iPhone Apple still uses software to achieve the effect. Only the pro iPhones use both lenses to calculate the effect.

Are you sure? I knew having two cameras was enough to have an hardware generated 3d map (or the Halide app creators says as such)