Jon M. Chu, best known for directing hit movie "Crazy Rich Asians," was provided with one of Apple's new iPhone XS Max models by WIRED, which he used to shoot a short film in 4K to test out the device's capabilities.


Chu's video was shot handheld using available light using only the native camera app and stabilizer, without any additional equipment or lighting. The video was edited on a computer, but no color correction or post-production tricks were used.

Chu told WIRED he was impressed with how well the iPhone handled moving shots, and to challenge himself, he shot in a garage under fluorescent lights.

"I'm moving around a lot, and the focus was adjusting as I was moving, but it was finding the subject really well," he says. "There's a shot at the end where I'm rushing toward the garage--that's using the built-in stabilizers. It's pretty smooth."

Chu also said the device's color accuracy was notable, as it accurately depicted the real-world colors of the garage where he was filming. "You can see the colors, they really pop," he said."

After the testing, Chu says he's going to upgrade to the iPhone XS Max from the iPhone X, "no question." iPhone XS Max, he says, is lighter than the 8 Plus and "doesn't feel like a plus phone." "The weight, the density -- it doesn't feel like an inconvenience to hold it," he said.

Chu's full two minute video can be watched on YouTube. Called "Somewhere," it focuses on dancer Luigi Rosado's rehearsal space.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
84 months ago
I thought it was a good short. The new phone did a great job.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
83 months ago
Does it say how he moved the files off his phone onto his PC? iPhone X doesn't support USB 3 speeds. Getting video off the device is such a huge pain!
I missed the part where it says he have used PC! It says Computer which could have been either PC or Mac. Speaking of the latest, little do you know that iOS devices and Mac computers do feature AirDrop which allow devices to drop large files instantly between them without the need of wires. And for many photographers/Videographers/Film makers, Mac is the platform of choice (and for a very good reasons) I do effortlessly drop videos/fotos all the time between iPhone,Mac and iPad. It have been years since I last used a wire to plug an iOS device to a Mac and I just love the convenience of not having to.

PC? I use it at work, would never buy one for personal use.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
usarioclave Avatar
84 months ago

iPhone 8 Plus weight: 202 grams
iPhone XS Max weight: 208 grams
It's actually more about weight distribution than actual weight. The iPad Pro 12 is heavy, but it doesn't feel that way because the weight distribution is really good. It feels as heavy (in its case) as my Moto e4 does, which shows that someone at Apple still knows what they're doing. Out of its case the Pro 12 feels ridiculously light.

They could probably have a year-long class about how to do that.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrazyForCashews Avatar
84 months ago
iPhone XS Max, he says, is lighter than the 8 Plus and "doesn't feel like a plus phone." "The weight, the density -- it doesn't feel like an inconvenience to hold it," he said.

iPhone 8 Plus weight: 202 grams
iPhone XS Max weight: 208 grams

Lighter than the 8 Plus, riiiiight... These phones are getting heavier.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
84 months ago
iPhone XS Max, he says, is lighter than the 8 Plus and "doesn't feel like a plus phone." "The weight, the density -- it doesn't feel like an inconvenience to hold it," he said.

iPhone 8 Plus weight: 202 grams
iPhone XS Max weight: 208 grams

Lighter than the 8 Plus, riiiiight... These phones are getting heavier.
Perception and reality often intersect at different corners... in different neighborhoods. :p:D

Seems more like accidental confirmation bias. I can easily see someone making an off-hand comment about the Max seeming lighter than the 8+ and Chu going, "Yeah, you know what it does, doesn't it?" Feels lighter is probably what he meant. Not is measurably lighter. Only geeks like us pull out scales to differentiate 6 grams. Normal people just eyeball it and keep it movin'.

The video looked like a good cell phone video. Not great, not bad. Good cell phone video. Pretty much standard these days.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FFR Avatar
83 months ago
Seriously bad idea from Marketing. Noisy low-res due to low light and tiny sensor. Colour reproduction bad again due to low-light. Not sure why you'd need a director, let alone a famous one to film this either.
Did you watch the same video?
The director claims he liked it.

What major motion pictures have you directed?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Thursday February 6, 2025 7:31 am PST by
Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks. iOS 18.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor

Friday February 7, 2025 2:37 am PST by
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post. The undisclosed order is said to have been issued last month, and requires that Apple creates a back door that allows UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide – an unprecedented demand not before...
Apple Leak Feature

Apple Leaker Issues Apology: 'Profound and Expensive Mistake'

Friday February 7, 2025 9:21 am PST by
Last year, we reported that Apple sued its former software engineer Andrew Aude for providing journalists with confidential information about the company's future plans, including details about the Journal app, Vision Pro headset, and more. As reported by 9to5Mac, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit after Apple and Aude reached an agreement to resolve...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses to Expand to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday February 5, 2025 6:27 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Below, we outline which U.S. states and territories offer the feature, and additional states that have committed to rolling it out in...