Getting perfect Portrait Mode photos no longer requires an iPhone with two camera lenses.
Instagram revealed a new feature today that mimics the blurry depth of field on Portrait Mode photos, only it works on older iPhones and even Android smartphones.
The new ‘Focus’ camera format on Instagram can be found next to the Super Zoom mode. You can use it from the selfie camera as well as the rear camera. All you have to do is put your face or a friends’ in the frame and you’ll notice the background start to blur.
Based on the demo shots, the blurring doesn’t look quite as clean as Portrait Mode, but it’s still pretty good. Focus works while recording video too, unlike Portrait Mode. Apple launched Portrait Mode in 2016 as one of the headline features on the iPhone 7 Plus.
Like all other Instagram formats, you can add filters, stickers and texts to the videos and photos once they’ve been captured. From there they can be added to your story, saved to your camera roll or sent as direct messages.
Focus works on iPhone SE, 6S, 6S+, 7, 7+, 8, 8+ and X and select Android devices.
