IPhone XR camera: Here's what we think

The Apple iPhone XR shares the same wide-angle camera as the iPhone XS and XS Max. But it's cheaper than either or both of these phones. If you choose between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS (the Max's camera has exactly the same features and features as the standard XS), ask yourself if there is a difference between the camera, read on.

Pre-orders for iPhone XR Are open now. CNET's own Bridget Carey went Practical work with the new iPhone XR and all his new delicious colors.

First, here is what we know will be the same thing:

• The iPhone XR and XS are equipped with the same 12 megapixel (26mm to f1.8) wide angle camera with optical image stabilization for photos and videos.
• 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera facing the front at f2.2 with cinematic video stabilization (1080p / 720p)
• Videos go up to 4K resolution (24, 30, 60 fps) with stereo recording
• Smart HDR, the new mode of processing HDR images by Apple

This sounds like a lot of common ground. Both phones also share the same computer photography pipeline, using the A12 Bionic chip and the image signal processor.

But the big difference is that the XS and XS Max have an additional 12 megapixel f2.4 camera on the back, which is used for 2x optical zoom. This is also an important part of portrait mode because this telephoto lens helps to create a depth map that determines the position of your subject in relation to the background.

To be clear, I have not yet used the iPhone XR and the following is purely based on my experience with the iPhone XS, Apple's specifications for the iPhone XR, my own expertise in the camera and a level of healthy speculation.

Portrait mode may have some limitations on the iPhone XR

Without this second telephoto lens, the iPhone XR relies on software and its unique rear lens to create the portrait mode. Other single-lens phones, such as the Google Pixel 3, also achieve a similar effect through software and processing.

We will not know it until we have tested it, but the portraits taken on the iPhone XR may be slightly different from those of the XS.

Portrait lighting is the name of Apple for effects that you can apply to photos in portrait mode, before or after shooting.

On the iPhone XS and XS Max, as well as on previous iPhone with portrait mode, you can choose five different lighting effects: Natural, Studio, Contour, Light Scene and Mono Light Scene. By default, photos are taken with the Natural Light effect.

The rear camera of the iPhone XR will only have three of these effects: Natural, Studio and Contour. But you can still edit the bokeh (background blur) with the help of sliders in the same way as on the iPhone XS and XS Max. It allows you to set the bokeh between F1.4 and F16, simulating the effect of shallow depth of field obtained by changing the aperture of a digital SLR lens.

It does not appear that the portrait mode of the iPhone XR works on subjects other than people, initial reaction suggested.

Other phones with single-purpose cameras can make bokeh on any subject, not just on people. We will not know for sure if the iPhone XR can do the same until we test ourselves the camera.

It's the same selfie camera as iPhone XS and XS Max

This TrueDepth 7 megapixel camera is shared among the three phones. So there does not seem to be any surprises in the way the camera makes selfies. You will still be able to take pictures in portrait mode using the front camera. You can also use the five lighting effects on selfies in portrait mode.

And having the TrueDepth camera also means that you will be able to do Animoji and Memoji to your heart's content on the iPhone XR.

The zoom is more limited

The iPhone XS and XS Max have a 2x optical zoom of the telephoto, but can also achieve a digital zoom up to 10x. But the XR is limited to 5x digital zoom for photos. This means that you will not be able to get as close as you can, but the digital zoom tends to make the images blurry and over processed, so you increase the magnification.

The videos will also be limited to 3x digital zoom, instead of the 2x optical zoom extended to the 6x digital zoom available when recording on the iPhone XS and XS Max.

iPhone XR does not have 3D Touch

This means that you will not be able to quickly access the camera launch in different modes if you are used to 3D Touch. By pressing and holding the camera icon of the iPhone XS and XS Max, you can launch the camera instantly in selfie mode, video recording, scan a QR code or take a portrait.

Once we have received our iPhones, we will perform tests on real world cameras to see if there are any other differences between iPhone XS, XS Max and iPhone XR cameras. Here are other examples of photos and details of the differences between iPhone XS and X cameras.