iPhone XS Max: CNA Lifestyle road tests the new features of its dual 12-megapixel cameras

CNA Lifestyle

iPhone XS Max: CNA Lifestyle road tests the new features of its dual 12-megapixel cameras

Amidst the new features: The upgraded photographic camera lets users command the amount of background mistiness in their photos.

29 Sep 2022 07:40AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 09:31PM)

There was once a time when I would take bent over backwards to get my hands on the latest iPhone. Not and so much anymore.

Apple has yet to come up up with an earth-shattering, life-irresolute technological breakthrough worthy of quickening my pulse. So far it has been incremental upgrades. I say this every bit a longtime Apple fan and current iPhone Ten user, and I do non believe I am alone in feeling this way.

Sentry: a first look at the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max

So imagine my indifference when I was handed an iPhone XS Max – Apple's current range-topper with a price to match – to road test. That said, it deserved a hazard, then I took it out for a spin over 4 days.

Role of my work covering the luxury scout and jewellery business concern involves attending production launches and conducting interviews with those in the merchandise. I accept a lot of photos, some to publish, some for my ain reference, to jog the memory of what I have seen and who I have met.

Then the camera became the object of my scrutiny. Both the iPhone X and iPhone XS Max are equipped with dual 12-megapixel cameras, but the latter also comes with new features: Smart HDR and Depth Control.

The MB&F HM9 on my wrist during the launch on Sep 25. (Photo: Aaron De Silva)

This wagyu burger was served during the MB&F HM9 launch. (Photograph: Aaron De Silva)

Bhavik Mehta, founder of diamond benefactor Diastar Pte Ltd, was one of my interviewees this week. (Photo: Aaron De Silva)

First impressions: The images taken past the new iPhone XS Max were precipitous and detailed, but not exponentially dissimilar from my current iPhone X, even with the new image sensor that was supposedly more powerful.

However, I began to discover a stark contrast with photos taken at dark. In situations with uneven lighting, where some areas are brighter than others, the bright areas tend to be overexposed and lack detail on my iPhone X. The new iPhone did not suffer the same problem.

On my iPhone X, the digital screens in the background are overexposed and lack detail. (Photo: Aaron De Silva)

But on the iPhone XS Max, the digital screens are more evenly exposed, with greater particular shown. (Photograph: Aaron De Silva)

I also discovered that I could control the amount of bokeh (background blur) in Portrait Mode on the new iPhone XS Max. This Depth Control function was most axiomatic when taking selfies.

There was quite a stark departure: Subjects in the foreground were much more conspicuously defined and seemed to pop against the background. Note that y'all cannot adjust the depth of field while taking the photograph; you have to take the photo first before tweaking information technology. The f-finish values range from f1.4 (maximum bokeh, as seen below) to f16 (no bokeh).

938Now presenter Charlotte Mei took a selfie on my iPhone. Depth of field cannot be controlled. (Photo: Charlotte Mei)

On the iPhone XS Max, you tin can adjust the depth of field to mistiness out or acuminate the groundwork. (Photo: Charlotte Mei)

And speaking of selfies, the Smart HDR function too seemed to have a built-in smoothening filter, creating effects like the image-enhancing app Meitu Xiuxiu. Peel tones are evened out, wrinkles are smoothed out, pores are minimised… you get the idea.

I accept e'er envied the "Beauty Face" enhanced images taken on my friends' Samsung phones, so this new feature is a welcome addition. Is it enough for me to want to upgrade my phone? Nope. But for those considering making the jump from older models such as the iPhone six or earlier, it might bear witness to be the tipping point, if the wallet-unfriendly price is not a business.

iPhone XS Max: CNA Lifestyle road tests the new features of its dual 12-megapixel cameras

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