The iPhone XR camera is slightly behind the iPhone XS and XS Max due to its single lens. Fortunately, there are several functions and apps that will help you get the most out of your XR’s camera.
This is how you take the best photos with your iPhone XR
The iPhone XR is the first iPhone with a single camera lens that does support portrait mode. Still, there are some differences between the XR’s single camera lens and the XS’s dual variant. For example, the portrait mode on the XR only recognizes people, and no animals or objects. In addition, you choose five portrait exposures on the XS, while on the XR you only have three choices.
Still, it doesn’t mean you can do less with it. By using various functions and some handy apps, you can also shoot the most beautiful (portrait) photos of everything and everyone with the XR. We list them for you.
1. Let Smart HDR do the dirty work
All three of the latest iPhones have Smart HDR. As soon as you take a photo, several images are shot in between, which focus on different parts of the composition. Then all these snapshots are added together, so that you get one optimized photo.

Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), the chip ensures that this is done better and better. It is important that you take as many snapshots as possible, so that the camera becomes smarter and continuously learns. So go ahead and shoot as many photos as possible, because in the end you will benefit more and more. You can switch on Smart HDR via the Camera menu under ‘Settings’.
2. Expand the portrait mode with Halide Camera
The Halide camera app has long been one of the favorites on the iPhone editorial staff, and this is one of the reasons why. The app from Dutch soil adds just that piece of software to your XR that is needed to also photograph objects and animals in portrait mode.
Also read: Halide photo app lets iPhone XR Portrait mode work with objects and animals
This allows you to shoot anything you want to photograph in Portrait mode without worry, while keeping a person or object in focus and making the background extra blurry. After taking the photo, you can also adjust the depth of field effect, so that you can enhance or soften the effect.
3. Make your food photos even more appetizing
Do you especially find it a shame that you cannot provide all those photos of food with a bokeh effect? Then the Foodie camera app is also an option for you. The app’s camera specializes in food and adjusts the settings to the type of food you want to capture. This way you select whether you want to include ice cream, burgers or vegetables in the picture.
In addition, it offers dozens of filters designed to make dishes look better. You will also find all kinds of tips about photographing food, and how to make the most beautiful composition for a snapshot from above, for example.
4. Shoot with a focus in poor light
What makes the XR’s single camera lens unique compared to the ‘more extensive’ dual lens of the iPhone XS (Max) is the fact that the XR’s wide-angle lens performs better in poor light.
The XS is equipped with a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens, and the latter is known for not doing particularly well in low light. Play with this and, for example, take photos with extra shadow to highlight people or objects, or cut a nice aerial photo of the transition to the dark evening.
5. Film more often
Precisely because the iPhone XR does better in less light conditions, it is also an ideal device for making beautiful videos. Filming is possible with the XR in 4K quality with stereo sound.
With a little practice, the good lighting of the 6.1-inch iPhone will give you images in every setting that are not inferior to a professional camera. That the image quality of an iPhone remains intact when making a video, Apple proves once again with the video below.
Check out more photo and video tips for your iPhone
- Tip: With this iOS function and apps, you can hide pictures in the Photos app (8-4)
- New on Netflix and Apple TV Plus: check out our tips for April 2021 (1-4)
- 4 ways to exchange iPhone photos with your PC or Mac (24-3)
- Tip: this is how you mirror an iPhone screen on your TV via the Chromecast (22-3)
- New on Netflix and Apple TV Plus: check out our tips for March 2021 (1-3)