Search results for: “camera”

  • How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    Every time a new iPhone launches, Sebastiaan de With, the brains behind the Halide camera app, takes a close look at its camera features. Recently, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, boasting a fresh 48-megapixel standalone camera. De With explored how it holds up against the cameras in Apple’s top-tier iPhone 16 lineup.

    iPhone 16e Camera Basics

    At first glance, the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro all seem to share the same 48-megapixel Fusion camera, capable of snapping 1x and 2x photos. But a closer peek reveals differences. The iPhone 16 Pro has a wider f/1.78 aperture, while the iPhone 16 and 16e use an f/1.6 aperture. Unlike the iPhone 16, the 16e misses out on sensor-shift stabilization, proving these cameras aren’t identical.

    De With explains that Apple paired the iPhone 16e’s modern A18 chip processing with an older, smaller camera part. With only one Wide lens, it skips extras like Macro mode, spatial photos or videos, Night mode for Portraits, and video perks like Cinematic or Action modes. Fancy options like ProRAW are also absent.

    Picture Quality Check

    In a side-by-side test with the iPhone 16 Pro, the 16e leaned toward warmer tones and showed a tighter view. Its smaller sensor grabbed fewer details, especially in dim light, where the difference stood out. The 2x shots looked rougher, with processing that didn’t impress de With.

    While the iPhone 16e doesn’t match the iPhone 16 Pro or even the iPhone 16, it’s closer to older non-Pro iPhones or the iPhone 14 Pro. The lack of sensor-shift stabilization hurts it the most, making low-light and night photos less sharp.

    Still, de With found charm in the 16e’s grainy, moody sensor—a fun contrast to the 16 Pro’s bigger, clearer one. “It’s got a cool feel, as the younger crowd might say,” he noted. For the full scoop and photo comparisons, check out de With’s detailed review on the Lux website.

  • Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple is busy working on AirPods that come with cameras, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. Don’t expect to see this in the AirPods Pro 3, which should launch this year. Instead, it’s a plan. Apple wants these earbuds to get smarter about the world around you—here’s why.

    Seeing the World with AirPods

    With the iPhone 16, Apple added a Camera Control button. It’s handy for snapping pictures or tweaking camera options, but it also brought something called Visual Intelligence. This feature helps you figure out what’s around you, like adding a flyer’s event to your calendar or asking Google or ChatGPT about something confusing.

    Gurman says Apple wants AirPods to do similar things. Imagine tiny cameras on your earbuds using artificial intelligence to “see” your surroundings and tell you about them. It’s like having smart glasses but without the glasses! You can ask Siri what’s nearby without even touching your iPhone.

    Better Sound Experience

    Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain expert, thinks these cameras could team up with other Apple gadgets, like the Vision Pro headset. They might improve how you hear sounds around you, especially with spatial audio. For example, if you’re watching a video with Vision Pro and turn your head, the sound could shift to match where you’re looking, making it feel more real. Kuo even suggests the cameras might let you control the AirPods with hand gestures in the air—pretty cool, though it sounds a bit unusual!

    When Can We Get Them?

    Bloomberg reports that these camera-equipped AirPods won’t arrive until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple might also launch smart glasses around then, similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. The goal? To make use of the Visual Intelligence tech from Vision Pro, which scans your surroundings and gives helpful info.

    In short, Apple’s cooking up something exciting with AirPods. Cameras could make them smarter and more connected to your world, blending sound and sight in fresh ways. Stay tuned for more as 2027 gets closer!

  • Could an Apple camera lens boost your iPhone photos?

    Could an Apple camera lens boost your iPhone photos?

    Xiaomi has built its name by mimicking Apple’s ideas, but recently, it’s come up with a few tricks I’d love to see Apple borrow. First, it wowed us with the sleek look of its 15 Ultra phone. Now, it’s teasing a cool concept that could inspire an awesome Apple Camera Lens add-on for iPhones.

    My iPhone is my go-to camera. Why? It’s always in my pocket. A few years back, it even became my main camera for trips. Sure, I still grab a standalone camera for special photo outings or unique destinations worth the extra gear. But Xiaomi’s latest idea might just bridge the gap perfectly.

    Smartphone cameras have tiny sensors and small plastic lenses, which limit their quality. Xiaomi’s fix? A real camera lens with a big sensor that snaps onto your phone magnetically. You’d still use the built-in lenses for quick shots, but for top-notch photos, this add-on turns your phone into something like a lightweight mirrorless camera—smaller and easier to carry than a separate one.

    Simon Hill from Wired tested a working version and loved it. He tried a Xiaomi 35-mm f/1.4 lens paired with a 100-megapixel sensor—way bigger than anything in phones today. It has a flexible aperture, perfect for dim lighting. Hill said it attached like a MagSafe wallet and felt like using a real camera, with sharp results to match.

    It comes with an autofocus motor—just tap the screen to pick your focus. Plus, there’s a physical ring for hands-on adjustments. In Pro mode, it worked as smoothly as the phone’s regular camera, letting Hill focus on objects near and far for a soft, natural background blur. We don’t know if Xiaomi will sell this lens, but I’m sold on the idea. Imagine Apple teaming up with Nikon, Canon, or Sony to make one for iPhones. It’d be a game-changer for phone photography!

  • Unveiled: Fresh camera looks for the iPhone 17 family

    Unveiled: Fresh camera looks for the iPhone 17 family

    A sneak peek at Apple’s next iPhone 17 series has popped up online, thanks to leaker Majin Bu. He shared a design sketch showing off the new back camera styles for the regular iPhone 17, a super-slim iPhone 17 Air, and the high-end iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

    Majin Bu has gotten some leaks right before, but he’s also missed the mark—like predicting an iPad 11 launch in 2023 that never happened. This time, though, other trusted sources from Weibo, like Fixed Focus Digital, Ice Universe, and Digital Chat Station, agree the sketch looks legit based on their info from Apple’s suppliers in China. “It’s pretty much spot-on,” said Digital Chat Station about the design. Looks like this might be the real deal!

    Fixed Focus Digital added, “The sketches are solid. Here’s a little extra: the iPhone 17 Pro versions will likely mix glass and metal. The logo area will be glass, set into a metal body.” This could explain the red patches on the Pro models in the image. The word is, Apple’s aiming for a tougher build with half glass and half aluminum—keeping wireless charging alive while making the phone less likely to break.

    There’s also talk that the iPhone 17 Pro models might let you charge other Apple gadgets wirelessly—a cool new trick! Apple’s shaking things up with the cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro models, swapping the old square bump for a wide aluminum bar stretching across the back. The brand-new iPhone 17 Air, stepping in for the Plus model, will sport a Matching flat bar too, but with just one camera lens.

    The basic iPhone 17, however, will stick to the familiar camera setup from the iPhone 16, keeping the standard and fancy models distinct. Analyst Jeff Pu says the iPhone 17, Pro, and Pro Max will rock aluminum frames, while the iPhone 17 Air might get a titanium one. Titanium showed up in Pro models in 2023, but Pu thinks Apple’s switching to aluminum for the Pros to be greener. What’s your take on these rumored iPhone 17 changes? Drop your thoughts below! Apple’s expected to show them off in September, as usual.

  • iPhone 16e comes with iPhone 16 camera, but misses some extras

    iPhone 16e comes with iPhone 16 camera, but misses some extras

    The iPhone 16e is unique in Apple’s lineup as the only model with a single rear camera. It uses the same 48-megapixel Wide lens as the iPhone 16, but it doesn’t include all the camera tricks found in its sibling.

    What the iPhone 16e Camera Offers

    The 48-megapixel Fusion lens on the iPhone 16e gives you a regular 1x view and a 2x zoom option. However, it skips the Telephoto lens, so no extra zoom levels are available. It also lacks an Ultra Wide lens, meaning wide-angle photos and close-up macro shots aren’t possible. With just one lens, you can’t capture spatial images or videos either.

    You still get handy features like True Tone Flash, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5. But it misses out on advanced portrait options like Focus Control and the newest Photographic Styles. In Portrait mode, you can tweak the focus after snapping a picture, but unlike the iPhone 16, you can’t tap to switch the focus to a different subject.

    Missing Style and Video Options

    The latest Photographic Styles, which let you set a consistent look for all your photos, are exclusive to the iPhone 16, 16 Pro, and Pro Max. The 16e only offers older filter options instead. For video, it doesn’t have Cinematic mode or Action mode, though it does include the new Audio Mix feature.

    Front Camera Comparison

    The front cameras on the iPhone 16 and 16e are nearly the same, with one catch. The 16e skips Cinematic mode, Photographic Styles, and Depth Control for Portrait shots, which the iPhone 16 includes. In short, the iPhone 16e delivers solid camera basics with its 48-megapixel lens, but it leaves out some of the fancier tools and creative options you’d find on the iPhone 16. It’s a simpler choice for those who don’t need all the extras.

  • No camera bar for basic iPhone 17, unlike Pro models

    No camera bar for basic iPhone 17, unlike Pro models

    The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models are set to feature a new look for their back cameras, with a design that includes a rectangular bar with rounded edges. This stylish change is also expected for the iPhone 17 Air, but the basic iPhone 17 won’t get this upgrade.

    According to tech insider Jon Prosser from the Front Page Tech YouTube channel, the basic iPhone 17 will look very much like its predecessor, the iPhone 16.

    The basic model will continue to sport two cameras arranged vertically in a pill-shaped bump on the back. This makes the basic iPhone 17 the least altered in terms of appearance among this year’s new releases. For those who prefer the classic look, this could be good news, as it suggests Apple is keeping the traditional design for at least another year.

    Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 17 series in September, giving us a clearer picture of what each model will bring to the table.

  • New iPhone 17 Pro camera design leaked

    New iPhone 17 Pro camera design leaked

    A new leak shows that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro might feature an innovative camera setup. According to the popular YouTube channel “Tech Updates,” the phone will have three back cameras, but this time, they’ll be inside a new, rectangular camera bar with rounded edges.

    In the latest video from “Tech Updates,” host Mike Johnson explains that this camera bar will be much bigger than what we’ve seen in earlier leaks. The cameras will sit on the left side of the bar, and on the right, you’ll find the LED flash, a microphone, and the LiDAR Scanner, all stacked up.

    Johnson also mentioned that the iPhone 17 Pro will have a unique two-tone look, where the camera bar seems darker than the phone’s back panel.

    While it’s not clear if this new design offers any advantages or if it’s just for looks, it certainly changes the phone’s appearance. Johnson claims his information comes from several people who know about the iPhone 17 Pro’s design, and he’s seen the phone himself.

    He suggests that this new camera setup might also appear on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, though he didn’t confirm it. There’s also talk of an “iPhone 17 Lite” model with a similar bar but only one camera. It’s uncertain if this design will make it to the basic iPhone 17, but it would make sense for Apple to keep things uniform across the lineup.

    Other brands like Google have camera bars on their phones too, like the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, but their cameras are lined up horizontally.

    Mike Johnson has been sharing tech news for years and has had both successes and failures with his predictions. He famously revealed details about the AirTag and iPad mini 6 well before they were launched. However, not all his predictions have been spot-on, like the flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 rumor.

    Recently, Johnson hinted that iOS 19 might bring a new look to the Camera app, inspired by visionOS, with clear and semi-transparent menus. Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 17 series in September, and we’re likely to hear more about the design before that.

  • Apple Might Add Cameras to AirPods: What does this mean for us?

    Apple Might Add Cameras to AirPods: What does this mean for us?

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple is working on a new type of AirPods that include cameras. Don’t expect to see this in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, but the tech is definitely on the way. The big question is, what’s the purpose?

    Exploring Visual Intelligence

    With the iPhone 16, Apple introduced a feature called Camera Control, which not only helps in taking photos but also brings something called Visual Intelligence. This allows your phone to understand and interact with the world around you. For example, you could scan an event poster and add the details to your calendar or use AI to learn about something new.

    Apple seems to want to extend this capability to AirPods. Imagine being able to ask Siri about your surroundings without even touching your phone. This move is part of Apple’s strategy to stay competitive in the AI technology race.

    Enhancing Audio Experience

    Ming Chi Kuo, a known tech analyst, suggests these cameras could also improve how we experience spatial audio, especially when used with devices like the Apple Vision Pro. If you’re watching a video and turn your head, the audio could shift to match your new perspective, making the experience more immersive.

    There’s also a wild card idea from Kuo about “in-air gesture control” for AirPods, which sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie.

    When Will We See Them?

    According to Gurman, don’t hold your breath for these camera-equipped AirPods until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple’s vision includes not just these AirPods but also smart glasses, aiming to make use of the costly technology developed for the Vision Pro. This would help in understanding and interacting with the environment around the user.

    In summary, Apple’s exploration into adding cameras to AirPods might revolutionize how we interact with our devices, enhancing both utility and entertainment through smarter, more contextual technology.

  • iPhone 17 camera changes might affect 3D video

    iPhone 17 camera changes might affect 3D video

    Talk about the new iPhone 17 has been buzzing, especially when it comes to changes in how the camera might look. There’s a lot of talk that Apple might change the camera from the usual triangle shape to a long, flat strip like on the Google Pixel 9. But, some say it’s still going to keep the triangle look, so it’s all a bit confusing.

    The Big Camera Design Question

    The main worry with this new camera design is what it might mean for making 3D videos for the Apple Vision Pro. Right now, the iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhone 16 models can do this.

    What’s 3D Video?

    3D video, or spatial video, lets you experience videos in a more real way, kind of like you’re there. It uses two cameras that work together to give you a sense of depth, just like your eyes do. This makes the video feel more lifelike because you can move your head and the scene moves with you.

    How It Works Now

    The current iPhones do this by having the cameras lined up vertically. This setup helps in capturing the video in the right way when you hold your phone sideways.

    The Problem with a New Design

    If the iPhone 17 Pro changes to a horizontal camera strip, it might not work as well for 3D videos. The cameras would be side by side instead of one on top of the other, which might mess up how we capture these videos. If this happens, only the cheaper iPhone models might keep this feature, or no iPhone 17 might have it at all if they all get the new design.

    Could There Be a Fix?

    There’s hope though. New tech like Gaussian splatting, which can make 3D models from different camera views, might help. This technology is already used by Niantic in apps where you can explore 3D spaces. Maybe Apple is working on something similar for videos, but we don’t know for sure yet.

    What’s Next?

    We’ll find out all the details when Apple reveals the iPhone 17, probably in September. Until then, it’s all just guesses and rumors about how they’ll handle this cool 3D video feature with their new camera design.

  • Easier camera controls on iPhone 16 for faster photos

    Easier camera controls on iPhone 16 for faster photos

    The iPhone 16’s new Camera Control button is a great addition, but the default settings might not suit everyone. By tweaking a few options in the Settings app, you can make it quicker and more reliable for capturing photos. Here’s how to simplify and speed up your photography experience.

    Launch the Camera Instantly

    In the past, iPhones like the iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case and the iPhone 15 Pro Action Button offered handy camera shortcuts. The iPhone 16 takes it further with a dedicated shutter button, but its default setup requires multiple presses: one to wake the screen, another to open the camera, and a third to snap a photo.

    Luckily, Apple introduced a fix through a software update. To speed things up, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and turn off Require Screen On under Camera Control. Now, one press launches the Camera directly, just like older tools.

    Make Camera Control Simpler

    If you find the light-press feature too sensitive, you can disable it. Light-press gestures can sometimes cause accidental swipes or missteps, so turning them off helps you maintain control.

    To adjust this, head to Settings > Camera > Camera Control > Accessibility and switch off Light-Press under Controls Gesture. While swipes remain active for accessing camera settings, disabling Light-Press minimizes unintentional actions.

    If you still want to lock focus and exposure, you can enable it separately. This feature works by lightly pressing and holding, offering precise control without interfering with basic camera functions.

    Final Thoughts

    After tweaking these settings, Camera Control becomes much faster and easier to use. You can launch the camera with a single press and avoid unnecessary delays. While swipe gestures let you adjust settings like zoom and exposure, many users may prefer the simplicity of the touchscreen for such tasks.

    For those who value simplicity, you can even turn off swipe gestures entirely. This turns Camera Control into a straightforward shutter button while keeping advanced features accessible through the main camera interface. With these adjustments, the iPhone 16’s Camera Control is not just functional—it’s effortless.