iPhone XR camera gives some iPhone XS users buyer’s remorse

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iPhone XR portrait mode
Thinking the iPhone XR would have been worth the wait?
Photo: Apple

The early reviews for the camera on the iPhone XR have been impressive – and that has a few who purchased the iPhone XS wishing they had waited a few weeks.

Apple, trying to accommodate more budget-minded consumers, announced the mid-range iPhone XR for $799 at the same time it unveiled the more expensive iPhone XS and XS Max.

The XS line was available on Sept. 21 while the XR, not quite ready for shelves then, went on sale today.

Tech journalists and social media influencers who received an iPhone XR for pre-sale review have raved about the iPhone XR. CNET called it the “best iPhone value in years.” The Verge said the “iPhone XR offers almost the same experience as the iPhone XS with a slightly worse display (LCD v. OLED) for $250.”

iPhone XR camera in portrait mode

One difference – and the source of growing thread of gripes on reddit – is the iPhone XR has a single back-facing camera while the XS line offer dual-cameras, including a telephoto lens that allows users to adjust the depth in portrait mode.

But the iPhone XR also has a portrait mode despite the single wide-angle lens and the photos look gorgeous. In some photos in low light, the XR photos look better. Portrait mode on the iPhone XS only works on the telephoto lens.

“My XS Max cost me way more than the upcoming XR,” wrote casperr0426. “I should have the option to choose the wide angle lens for portrait mode…”

“Same here,” wrote Stephencovar. “I feel left out. The XS/XS Max should have all of the features that the XR has and then some.”

“Apple should easily be able to implement this in an iOS update,” wrote sjcpilot.

“Huh,” wrote GalantisX. “Never thought that the XR would have some kind of advantage in portrait mode.”

John Gruber, creator of the blog Daring Fireball, wrote how portrait mode on the iPhone XR will only work with a recognizable face, while on the XS, it can work with pets and objects.

His entry on the subject dated Oct. 23 is recommended reading. With pictures of his son in low light, Gruber shows an advantage the XR’s faster wide-angle lens has over the XS.

“The most important bottom line comparing the iPhone XR to the XS is this: if you want to use the telephoto lens, the iPhone XS may well be worth a few hundred extra dollars for this reason alone,” he wrote. “If you don’t care about the telephoto lens, on the other hand, you should almost certainly consider buying an iPhone XR instead of the XS>”

Source: Design TAXI

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