Despite the single camera lens, the iPhone XR still supports Portrait mode. With the Halide camera app, you can now not only use it to photograph people, but also to capture animals and objects.
Halide makes iPhone XR Portrait function better
While the iPhone XR is a cheaper version of the iPhone XS, the two have a lot in common. For example, you can take a Portrait photo with both devices, where a person remains sharp and you can make the background extra blurry. This creates an effect that you can normally only make with an SLR camera.
Apple has adapted this function on the iPhone XR, because the device has a single camera lens instead of a double one. That’s why the Portrait effect must be done entirely with software, just like Google has been doing with its Pixel phones for a while.
A disadvantage of this was that the iPhone XR could only recognize people in Portrait mode, so you could not use the function for animals or objects. Camera app Halide shows today that this is possible, with a major update to the iOS app.
With the update, you can activate Portrait mode by tapping the ‘Depth’ button, after which the app automatically recognizes people, objects or animals that you want to photograph. After taking the photo, you can also adjust the depth of field effect, so that you can enhance or soften the effect.
Smart RAW on the iPhone XR
In addition to expanding the iPhone XR Portrait feature, Halide’s update also adds support for Smart RAW, a modified version of RAW photography that enhances these types of photos on the iPhone XR.
Halide is available in the App Store for a one-time purchase price of EUR 6.99. The app has been a favorite among the iPhoned editors for years as it lets you take beautiful RAW photos and the app is packed with useful features that are missing from Apple’s default camera app. You can learn more about why it is worth taking RAW photos with your iPhone in the article below.
Also read: Shooting in RAW format on the iPhone: you need to know this