One of the features Apple introduced back in 2016 with the iPhone 7 Plus was portrait mode. For those unfamiliar, portrait mode is basically where the phone’s camera will attempt to mimic the bokeh effects that you would expect from a DSLR or mirrorless camera. While at a glance it was impressive, upon closer inspection it was clear that more work needed to be done.
The good news is that it looks like iOS 12 will be bringing some improvements to the feature, as noted by developer Ben Sandofsky. In a post on Twitter, Sandofsky (the developer of camera app Halide) points out the difference in depth data in iOS 11 versus iOS 12. With iOS 11, it seemed like a lot of the details were fuzzy, versus iOS 12 in which his own portrait revealed details such as small hairs.
iOS 11 depth data vs iOS 12 portrait matte. The edge details are crazy. Also, I need a shave. pic.twitter.com/X3gwgNABTl
— Ben Sandofsky (@sandofsky) August 8, 2018
This was actually one of the main criticisms of portrait mode, in which many felt that in some instances, the resulting photo ended up looking and feeling a bit too “soft” around the edges. With iOS 12, it seems like Apple will be making changes to address those criticisms, plus combine that with the new iPhones and presumably new cameras, it should result in much better portrait mode photos.
Either way this is something we’ll have to wait and see, so check back with us next month where Apple is expected to officially announce the new iPhones.