Apple Highlights Depth Control Feature on iPhone XS, XS Max and XR With New How To Video

Apple today shared a new how to video that's designed to walk new iPhone users through using the Depth Control feature on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.

Depth Control, a feature new to the 2018 iPhones, lets you adjust the amount of background blur in a photo taken with Portrait Mode using either the front or rear camera.


Depth Control can be accessed by choosing a Portrait Mode photo from the Photos app, selecting the "Edit" button, and using the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the blur from f/1.4 (maximum blur) to f/16 (no blur).

Depth Control is available when editing an already-captured photo and as of iOS 12.1, there's a real-time Depth Control feature for adjusting blur before you take a photo.

Apple has in the past shared multiple short how to videos like this to highlight photography capabilities on the iPhone along with iPhone X features.

We're likely going to see several more videos focused on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in the coming weeks as Apple helps users adjust to the new features available on the devices.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro's alleged design via Front Page Tech Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive a New Perk

Thursday March 20, 2025 12:01 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. The new perk is the ability to create invitations in the Apple Invites app for the iPhone, which launched in the App Store last month. In the Apple Invites app, iCloud+ subscribers can create invitations for any occasion, such as birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. Anyone ...
Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock

iOS 19 Coming in June With These New Features

Thursday March 20, 2025 2:04 pm PDT by
While the first iOS 19 beta is still more than two months away, there are already plenty of rumors about the upcoming software update. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far. visionOS-Like Design In January, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech revealed a redesigned Camera app that is allegedly planned for iOS 19. According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the Camera app...
iOS 18

Top 5 New Features Coming in iOS 18.4

Friday March 21, 2025 3:26 pm PDT by
We're not getting new Siri Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 as expected, but the upcoming update does have quite a few new additions that will be worth upgrading for. We've rounded up the five best features to look forward to, and if you're not running the beta, you can expect to get access to these in early April. Priority Notifications If you have an iPhone or iPad that supports...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Launch Now Just Months Away: Here's What We Know

Tuesday March 18, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for...
Windows Vista

Apple Might Be Having Its Windows Vista Moment, Says Analyst

Thursday March 20, 2025 6:52 am PDT by
Is Apple experiencing a "Vista-like drift into systemically poor execution?" That was a question posed by well-known technology analyst Benedict Evans, in a recent blog post covering Apple's innovation and execution, or seemingly lack thereof as of late. He is referring to Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, which was widely criticized when it launched in 2007 due to software bugs,...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Foldable iPhone Expected to Launch Next Year, Costing Around $2,000

Monday March 24, 2025 3:43 am PDT by
Apple will launch its long-rumored foldable iPhone next year with a ~$2,000 premium price tag attached, expects well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Gurman's comments on Apple's launch plans for its first foldable device appeared in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter. Earlier this month, the reporter said Apple's foldable iPhone could be arriving "as early as 2026,"...
airpods pro purple

Apple Still Planning AirPods With Tiny Cameras

Saturday March 22, 2025 8:20 am PDT by
Apple continues to explore the idea of adding tiny cameras to future AirPods, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman briefly reiterated this possibility in his report this week about Apple executive Mike Rockwell becoming the new head of Siri development:Rockwell's experience with hardware also could help the company more deeply embed AI into its future devices. Already, the company is ...

Top Rated Comments

seatton Avatar
83 months ago
Unfortunately, my outdated iPhone X cannot do that :(
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marconelly Avatar
83 months ago
Unfortunately, my outdated iPhone X cannot do that :(
You can use the app called Focos that does this, and so much more - including adding lights to a scene you shot, and moving them around in 3D space. It's kind of insane and way more advanced than just this feature - and works on iPhone X and up.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarpalMac Avatar
83 months ago
Unfortunately, my outdated iPhone X cannot do that :(
*Is not allowed to do that.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
83 months ago
Depth sensing tech still needs a lot of improvement. I would say the way it is done today is barely usable.
This picture was taken by my iPhone X Max using the "portrait" mode.
Take a look at the chair or at the right side of the pumpkin.

You’re right. Barely usable. What a joke. Looks like a 1MP camera was trudged through custard and then a small child with a head resembling a lightbulb threw the phone in the air.

Simultaneously another child, also with a lightbulb-shaped head, was wearing a pair of oven gloves and soared through the air like a salmon to press the camera at the exact same time.

The result was the utter blur you’ve posted. Though honestly to my eyes I think it’s not too terrible. But hey, what do I know — I’m no photographer.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
83 months ago
I never thought I’d hear a backing track comprised entirely of alert sounds, but there you go.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H818H Avatar
83 months ago
Couldn't care less about this shiitty, fake depth of field BS that apple is pushing like it's the best thing since sliced bread

"We built a shittty photoshop-type effect right into the camera. $1000 please"

No deal
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)