The new iPhone is for photographers and videographers.
I’m going to make the decision making easy for you: if you own the iPhone X series, only upgrade if you are a passionate photographer or videographer.
Obviously, if you own an older model, the upgrade is a no-brainer. The new phone has a larger screen, better resolution, better chip, more extended battery, and the (now less daunting) FaceID.
Before I get into the new features for photo and video enthusiasts, I must vent about the form.
Form
I’m not sure if this opinion will be highly controversial, but I think the back camera area is horrendous. We’ve moved past the days of a single lens on the back of the camera. Now, we have three cameras, and Apple has ignored our requests for a flush back: we get gifted with two levels of elevation (WTF Apple).
Note: from photos and videos on the web, it’s hard to tell whether the camera area is flat, sunken in, or is elevated. Someone let me know in the comments.
Could there have been a better solution for the camera?
I have to say, the rounded square does make the camera area look better than without, but it just leaves the 11 Pro feeling cramped, and the 11 too spacey (too much white space!). I much prefer the 10 XS which had a less-jarring elliptical containment.
As I was thinking about how disappointed I was about the design, I had this crazy idea. What if…there was an internal fidget spinner mechanism inside the phone? That way, we would always see one lens, but internally, it switches lens out depending on what lens you want to use.
Philip Lueck (@philiplueck) expressed it nicely in his latest render (great minds think alike):
One positive note…Apple came out with a new color: Midnight Green.
Alright. Enough hating. I have much better impressions on the new functions.
Function
From a feature standpoint, I think it’s simplest to make the following comparisons: iPhone 11 is the new and improved iPhone XR. iPhone 11 Pro is the new and improved iPhone XS.
iPhone XR to iPhone 11 comparison:
- Same 6.1” Liquid Retina HD display
- An addition of a Ultra Wide camera
- 12MP camera upgrade from 7MP on the XR
- Upgrade to an A13 Bionic chip
- 1 hour longer battery life
- 2m water resistance upgrade from 1m on the XR
iPhone XS and iPhone 11 Pro comparison:
- Same 5.8” display with a better resolution with the Super Retina XDR display
- Textured matte glass instead of glass (woop…)
- An addition of the Ultra Wide camera
- 4 hour longer battery life than XS
- 4m water resistance upgrade from 2m on the XS
Apple announced 4K support as if we didn’t have it before for the new iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. We’ve always had them. However, they do support an extended dynamic range for video at 60 fps.
I don’t have a fantastic understanding of extended dynamic range. However, I know that it essentially means how well the image sensor does at maintaining highlights and shadows without losing detail. Someone educate me!
A13 Bionic Chip
Apple proudly announced a higher-performing A13 Bionic Chip that has a faster CPU and GPU. In addition, it efficiently uses logic for processes to deliver a longer battery life on the new iPhone 11 and 11 Pro.
Ultra Wide camera
The most significant selling point of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro was were the cameras. You already know how I feel about the physical design if you’ve made it this far in my Medium story. However, in terms of performance, these cameras sound like the real deal.
For Apple, zooming in and out has always been obtained digitally. As a result, we got noisy, pixelated imagery. The positives of having a dedicated lens for Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide is that now you have actual zoomed-in and zoomed-out crisp, imagery. Apple is also allowing creators to produce creative photography and videography in 4K 30fps or 60fps with confidence. Of course, you would probably find better performance with clip-on lens systems like the Olloclip or Moment Lens.
Night Mode for Better Low-Lighting Performance
If you are a photographer or videographer, then you’ll love how well the new cameras perform in low-lighting. Apple explained that the iPhone 11 shoots nine images and fuses them, and pixel by pixel optimizes for detail and low noise.
Slowfie
Have you ever desired to take a slow-motion selfie like the classic Head & Shoulders commercials? Well, now you can. Apple introduced the Slowfie (slow motion + selfie). Of course, we could obtain this same effect in post-production software, but hey, it’s a lot easier now. #thanksapple
Snapchat-esque Quicktake feature
Apple announced a quicker way to take videos with the ‘Quicktake’ feature. Long pressing the shutter button will automatically start recording a video. The ‘Quicktake’ reminded me alot of the Snapchat interaction we have today. My only question was, “How do we take multiple bursts now?”
I’m sorry that my take on the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro was mostly negative, but with Apple, one has to be more critical. It’s a compliment.
I’m very much looking forward to the iPhone 12. Will Apple add on more features, or will Apple take a step back to deliver on the simple and minimal designs we’ve always loved?
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Stay tuned for my YouTube video on this subject, coming out Friday September 20th @6pm PST.
Find me on Instagram @thedesignmood.
If you have any inquiries or just want to chat shoot me an email: thedesignmood@gmail.com.
